15 June, 2026, 08:52.


CALABAR — Three years after taking office on May 29, 2023, Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has built his administration around a “People First” agenda. The APC-led government says it has prioritized infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, security and social welfare. But critics argue key challenges of power, pension arrears and rural neglect remain.

This assessment weighs the administration’s achievements against its non-performances based on verifiable projects, policy pronouncements and public data up to June 2026.

PERFORMANCE: WHERE GOV. OTU SCORED HIGH

1. Infrastructure and Road Network
The Otu administration made road construction its most visible intervention. Projects inspected by the Cross River State House of Assembly include the Adiabo-Ikoneto Road scheduled for completion July 2026, rehabilitation of Calabar Road leading to Akamkpa, Okuku Yala Road, FRSC Road project, and rural access roads across Biase, Ikom and Odukpani Local Government Areas.

The governor also signed the Rural Access Road Authority Law and unlocked ₦4.5 billion for rural roads. Assembly lawmakers described the pace of work as “transformative” and opening “new economic opportunities”.

2. Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization
Agriculture has been positioned as the “backbone of the state’s economy”. The state government procured 3.5 million improved Tenera oil palm seedlings from NIFOR for distribution to smallholder farmers — described by the Oil Palm Growers Association of Nigeria as the largest seed purchase by any state government in Nigeria.

For this, Gov. Otu received the BusinessDay Award of Excellence for contributions to agri-economy. The administration also established crop-specific clusters: rice in Ndok Ogoja, cassava in Odukpani/Obubra, oil palm in Boki/Akamkpa, cocoa in Etung/Ikom, and coffee statewide. A Value Chain Policy Strategy committee for cocoa, oil palm and coffee was inaugurated, while 108 three-wheel tractors and 100 fishing boats were distributed.

3. Healthcare Delivery
Over 100 Primary Health Centres were revamped, with focus now shifting to General Hospitals. The governor signed the Hospital Management Board Law and upgraded the College of Health Sciences. Cross River was ranked number one nationwide in routine immunization coverage at 95%. The administration also enacted the Open Defecation Prohibition Law 2026 making toilets mandatory in homes and businesses.

4. Security and Stability
Security was framed as “an enabler of development”. The government reactivated and supported Operation Akpakwu, strengthened collaboration with the Army, Police and Navy, and institutionalized regular security council meetings. NUJ South-South commended the state for peace and the governor’s support for media.

5. Economic and Big-Ticket Projects
Cross River reclaimed ownership of Tinapa Business and Resort Limited from AMCON after years of inactivity, with investor talks ongoing. The Bakassi Deep Seaport project received Federal Executive Council approval with $2.27 billion initial capital outlay and Certificate of Compliance in December 2025. The state also partnered BOI to unveil a ₦2 billion MSME fund.

6. Workers’ Welfare
The administration paid ₦10 billion in gratuity arrears, clearing debts from 2009-2015. Over 300 civil servants are trained monthly in ICT and digital skills.

NON-PERFORMANCE: GAPS AND CRITICISMS

1. Power and General Infrastructure Deficit
Despite road projects, public dissatisfaction persists. A 2026 SBM Intelligence report rated Cross River highest in Nigeria with 89.9% of residents considering relocation due to poor infrastructure, healthcare, electricity and insecurity. Electricity supply remains a major pain point.

2. Pension and Gratuity Backlog
While 2009-2015 arrears were cleared, gratuity debts from 2015-2023 remain outstanding. Pensioners’ unions continue to press for full settlement.

3. Security Flashpoints
Border communities remain volatile. In June 2026, over 200 Cameroonian soldiers reportedly entered Danare village in Boki LGA during patrol, the fourth such incursion linked to Bakassi border disputes. The Ugep-Idomi land dispute also forced the government to impose a 5-day dusk-to-dawn curfew.

4. Environmental and Social Challenges
Governor Otu called for urgent intervention over persistent flooding affecting communities and livelihoods in May 2026. The state also activated an Ebola emergency response due to outbreaks in Uganda and DR Congo.

5. Political Opposition
The PDP in Cross River declared the governor’s seat “vacant” in May 2026 over alleged “poor performance” and “dwindling influence”. Critics claim development is concentrated in Calabar while rural areas lag.

POLITICAL OUTLOOK
Gov. Otu has maintained strong party control, emerging unopposed as APC governorship candidate in May 2026 with 116,038 votes across 18 LGAs. He has leveraged close relations with President Bola Tinubu to attract federal projects including the Calabar section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Calabar Port dredging.

In a recent “State of the Union” address, the governor appealed to elders to unite behind efforts to restore Cross River’s oil-producing status after the “malicious deletion” of 76 oil wells.

VERDICT
Three years into his first term, Senator Bassey Otu’s administration shows clear direction in agriculture, road infrastructure and healthcare — sectors where tangible projects exist on ground. However, power supply, pension backlog, border security and rural poverty remain unresolved.

The “People First” mantra has produced results visible in Calabar and select LGAs, but the SBM relocation data suggests many Cross Riverians have yet to feel the impact. As the 2027 election cycle approaches, the administration’s ability to translate infrastructure gains into improved living standards will determine its final report card.