Ukorebi Esien | September 21, 2026
CALABAR — Cross River State Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Johnson Andiambey Ebokpo, has said Governor Bassey Edet Otu is not in office merely to pursue political interests but to confront what he described as deep-rooted historical factors responsible for the state’s economic decline.
Ebokpo, who urged Cross Riverians to support the administration’s development agenda, argued that the economic challenges facing the state could not be blamed solely on successive democratic governments.
He said the roots of the problem stretched far beyond the current political dispensation, pointing to historical political and transportation decisions taken in the Niger area, particularly during the era of the Southern Rivers Protectorate.
The commissioner spoke against the backdrop of growing demands for improved economic opportunities, infrastructure and development outcomes in the state.
According to him, understanding Cross River’s present condition requires a broader appreciation of the historical circumstances that shaped its economic and political trajectory.
“Governor Bassey Edet Otu did not come into office to play politics. He came with a clear mission to change a historical narrative,” Ebokpo said.
He maintained that while young Cross Riverians may understandably attribute the state’s difficulties to successive democratic administrations, such an assessment, in his view, fails to capture the complexity and longevity of the challenges.
“Cross Riverians, it takes a person with a deep sense of history, broad exposure and, most importantly, maturity to look beyond the surface and focus on the fundamental issues that truly matter,” he said.
Ebokpo said the Otu administration was deliberately concentrating on what he described as the foundational aspects of development, insisting that some of the most important elements of economic transformation may not produce immediate visible results.
“Governor Otu understands that meaningful transformation begins with the foundation—much of which may not be immediately visible to the public. He has come to build, and every sustainable structure must first have a solid foundation,” he said.
The commissioner urged residents to give the administration the time and support required to implement its development plans, arguing that rebuilding an economy with deep historical disadvantages could not be achieved overnight.
He also defended the administration’s People First ideology, saying it should not be viewed merely as a political slogan or an agenda designed around the tenure of one government.
Rather, he described it as a long-term economic development strategy aimed at dismantling what he called historical barriers to growth and creating sustainable opportunities for Cross Riverians.
“The People First ideology is not merely an agenda for one administration; it is a long-term economic development journey towards breaking historical barriers, rebuilding our foundations and creating sustainable opportunities for our people,” Ebokpo said.
He said the real value of the administration’s policies should ultimately be measured by whether they create structures and opportunities capable of surviving beyond the present government.
According to him, the objective should be to leave behind an economic foundation that subsequent administrations can build upon rather than repeatedly starting from scratch.
“The impact should transcend the tenure of this administration and become a lasting legacy for Cross River State,” he added.
Ebokpo therefore called on Cross Riverians to support Governor Otu, saying the governor has assumed responsibility for steering the state through what he described as an important stage in its historical development.
He said sustained commitment to long-term economic planning, rather than a focus on immediate political gains, would be critical to reversing the state’s economic fortunes.
