By Abasi Ita
The Chief of Staff to the Cross River State Governor, Chief Dr Emmanuel Ironbar, has commended the Neighbour to Neighbour political support group for its grassroots mobilisation in support of Governor Bassey Edet Otu’s bid for a second term in office.
Ironbar spoke when the leadership of the group visited him to declare its support for the Governor ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The delegation, comprising members of the group’s executive, expressed confidence in Otu’s leadership and the direction of the state under his administration.
Receiving the group, Ironbar described the visit as significant, saying it demonstrated that Cross Riverians were not only observing the administration’s programmes but were also identifying with what he described as the progress being recorded across the state.
He commended the group for its confidence in the Governor and his administration, stressing that Otu’s leadership had demonstrated a commitment to service, compassion and tangible development.
“Governor Bassey Otu has demonstrated that leadership is about service, compassion and delivering tangible results to the people,” he said.
The Chief of Staff also highlighted the administration’s inclusive approach to governance, saying it had created opportunities for Cross Riverians from different backgrounds to contribute to the development of the state.
“Governor Otu’s government is a government for everyone. There is space and opportunity for everybody, irrespective of background, political persuasion or where you come from. What matters to the Governor is the capacity and willingness to contribute to the growth and development of Cross River State,” Ironbar stated.
He urged members of the group to remain focused on their mobilisation efforts and avoid distractions, while assuring them that the administration remained open to constructive criticism.
Ironbar, however, criticised individuals he said were attempting to damage the Governor’s reputation through misinformation and what he described as unfounded narratives.
He urged the group to remain committed to what he called the truth and the progress of the state.
“When you are doing something good, there will always be people who will attempt to pull you down. But we must remain committed to the truth and to the progress of our state. The enduring strength of truth will ultimately overcome falsehood,” he said.
Ironbar further commended the Neighbour to Neighbour movement for its grassroots structure and urged its members to continue taking the administration’s message and achievements to communities across the state.
“Politics is ultimately about the people. You are taking the message from one community to another and from one neighbourhood to another, and that is how confidence in government is built and sustained,” he said.
He assured the delegation that Governor Otu remained committed to consolidating his administration’s achievements and building what he described as a stronger, more prosperous and united Cross River State.
Earlier, the Director General of Neighbour to Neighbour, Dr Bobby Ekpenyong, said the group was established as a grassroots movement committed to communicating the achievements of the Otu administration to residents across the state.
Ekpenyong said the group would mobilise voters from the northern to the southern parts of Cross River State ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Government cannot be everywhere. It is our duty to spread the message and tell the people. We are building an organic structure that will work assiduously for the success of Otu in 2027,” he said.
He recalled the group’s involvement in the mobilisation that supported former President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2011 election campaign, saying it was prepared to deploy a similar grassroots strategy in Cross River State.
According to him, the movement has established ward, local government and neighbourhood structures, with coordinators tasked with mobilising supporters under its “Operation Get 10 Persons” initiative.
“Our main aim is to galvanise everybody and speak to them about Sweet Prince. We have ward, local government and neighbourhood cells comprising 10 coordinators, with each coordinator expected to mobilise 10 persons. We call it Operation Get 10 Persons. We have a very strong advocacy structure,” Ekpenyong stated.
The visit culminated in the investiture of Ironbar as Grand Patron of the Neighbour to Neighbour movement in recognition of his support for the group.