2027: Evidence Group Takes APC Campaign to Ogoja, Warns Against Voter Intimidation

The Evidence Group has intensified its political mobilisation drive in Cross River State, inaugurating a working committee in Ogoja Local Government Area with a mandate to build grassroots support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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The inauguration, led by the group’s Director General, Mr. Eyoma Bassey, marked another phase of the organisation’s efforts to expand its reach across communities, campuses, wards and polling units, with a target of securing a clean sweep for APC candidates in the state.

Addressing members during the ceremony in Ogoja, Bassey charged the newly inaugurated committee to adopt innovative strategies for attracting voters and strengthening the party’s presence at the grassroots.

He said the Evidence Group was established to mobilise support for the APC and communicate what it considers the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other party leaders to the electorate.

However, the group’s Director General cautioned members against using intimidation, harassment or coercion to win public support, warning that anyone found engaging in such conduct would be removed from the organisation.

Bassey stressed that the group was a youth driven movement expected to rely on constructive engagement and proactive mobilisation rather than force or intimidation.

He also directed members to submit the names of proposed polling unit coordinators to the group’s leadership for screening and approval before announcing appointments or establishing structures.

The mobilisation exercise is expected to extend to the remaining four local government areas in Cross River North Senatorial District before moving to the central and southern senatorial districts, according to Bassey.

The group’s Director of Media and Communications, Mr. Andrea Ekeng, said the organisation was also planning a major convention in Calabar, where members would formally reaffirm their support for the APC.

Ekeng called on residents to support President Tinubu, Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, and other APC candidates, citing ongoing infrastructure projects and federal interventions as reasons for backing the party.

He specifically mentioned the Calabar to Itu Road, the Federal Government’s intervention in the state’s oil well dispute and the approval of the Bakassi Deep Seaport, describing them as significant developments for Cross River State.

According to him, the Calabar to Itu Road has improved connectivity between Cross River and neighbouring states, while the approval of the Bakassi Deep Seaport presents an opportunity to expand economic activities and attract investment.

Ekeng further claimed that the deep seaport project had attracted the interest of the African Export Import Bank, Afreximbank, which he said had indicated willingness to support its financing with about $3 billion.

He also commended Governor Otu for what he described as efforts to spread development across the state, with particular reference to communities in the northern senatorial district.

The Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Council, Chief Agbeh Christopher Eweh, welcomed the group’s mobilisation initiative, commending its leadership for extending its activities to the area.

Eweh urged the organisation to sustain the campaign and take its message to other communities across Cross River North, expressing hope that the exercise would further strengthen engagement with residents.

The inauguration ended with members and supporters chanting the group’s slogan, “Evidence! No noise, just proof!” while reiterating their commitment to the APC’s “5 over 5” campaign ahead of the 2027 elections.

210,000 Cross Riverians Living With Visual Impairment, Optometrists Raise Alarm

The Nigerian Optometric Association, NOA, Cross River State Chapter, has raised concern over the growing burden of visual impairment in the state, disclosing that about 210,000 Cross Riverians were estimated to be living with visual impairment as of 2022.

By Victoria Omini- CALABAR 

The Chairperson of the association in the state, Dr. Ogechi Cecilia Chukwu, made the disclosure during a free eye screening programme organised for teachers in Calabar to commemorate World Sight Day.

Chukwu said the association chose teachers as the focus of this year’s programme because of their strategic role in identifying eye problems among children and young people under their care.

She explained that the initiative, which began in the Southern Senatorial District, was designed to screen about 200 teachers, provide reading glasses and medications where necessary, and equip beneficiaries with knowledge on how to identify signs of eye problems among their pupils and students.

According to her, the association also used the programme to draw the attention of the Cross River State Government to the shortage of optometrists in the state, noting that only two optometrists were currently serving in the state civil service.

Chukwu said the shortage had made it difficult to extend quality eye care services to rural communities, particularly in areas where access to healthcare facilities remains challenging.

She said the association intends to extend the free screening programme to other senatorial districts but noted that the exercise would require optometrists from Calabar to travel to the affected areas because of the absence of adequate manpower in those locations.

She therefore appealed to the state government to employ and deploy more optometrists to rural communities to bridge the gap in eye care services and ensure early detection and treatment of eye conditions.

The optometrist also called for the establishment of a Department of Optometry at the University of Calabar, describing it as a strategic step towards producing more professionals who could serve the state’s growing eye care needs.

Chukwu noted that Cross River State currently has only one institution, Ojavis University, offering optometry as a course, stressing that establishing the programme at the University of Calabar would provide more indigenes with the opportunity to study the profession and eventually return to serve communities across the state.

She said the establishment of more training opportunities would also help reduce the pressure on the few practising optometrists while making it possible to deploy professionals to underserved communities.

Chukwu further disclosed that the estimated 210,000 visually impaired Cross Riverians were predominantly located in rural areas, where residents are often exposed to unqualified persons who allegedly present themselves as eye care professionals.

She warned that wrong diagnoses and prescriptions by unqualified practitioners could worsen eye conditions and, in some cases, contribute to avoidable blindness.

Giving an insight into the situation in rural communities, she said the association recently visited a quarry site in one community where it identified 18 people who were already blind and another 48 people suffering from advanced cataracts requiring urgent surgery.

She attributed the situation partly to the shortage of qualified eye care professionals in rural areas, stressing that early detection remained critical to preventing avoidable blindness.

Meanwhile, a Director in the Safe Schools and Nutrition Department of the Cross River State Ministry of Education, Mr. Akwa Akwa imo, who benefited from the screening exercise, described the initiative as timely and beneficial.

Akwa imo said he had difficulty reading some alphabets with his naked eyes before undergoing the screening, but was able to read effectively after receiving reading glasses.

He encouraged the optometrists to sustain and expand the initiative to enable more people benefit from accessible eye care services.

Another beneficiary, Mrs. Esuabang of the Safe Schools and Nutrition Department, Ministry of Education, also commended the association for taking eye care services closer to members of the public.

Esuabang said she had experienced intermittent difficulty with her eyesight since childhood, with the condition becoming noticeable again about five years ago.

She admitted that she had not taken the condition seriously or sought medical attention because it was not always severe, but expressed excitement after undergoing the screening and receiving glasses.

She urged the association to continue taking its services to schools and other communities, saying such outreach programmes would make eye care more accessible to people who might otherwise find it difficult to visit hospitals for screening.

Otu Honours Anietie Akpan, Says Journalism Has Lost a Pillar

Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has paid tribute to veteran journalist, Mr. Anietie Akpan, describing his death as a significant loss to the journalism profession and public life in the state.

The Governor, through his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Linus Obogo, joined family members, colleagues and friends in mourning the late journalist during a condolence visit to his family.

Obogo, who visited alongside the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Affairs, Mr. Nsa Gill, and the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Cross River State Council, said Governor Otu had desired to personally identify with the family in their moment of grief but was represented by the delegation due to official engagements.

The delegation was received by the deceased’s widow, Mrs. Imaobong Anietie Akpan, and his daughter, Etinyene Anietie Akpan.

Obogo said the Governor recognised the late Akpan as a journalist whose professional career contributed significantly to the development of journalism and public discourse, stressing that his impact would remain part of the history of the profession in Cross River.

He added that Governor Otu had also provided financial assistance to the family to support preparations for the final burial rites of the veteran journalist.

According to him, the gesture was not only an expression of sympathy but also a demonstration of the Governor’s recognition of the role played by journalists in preserving history, holding conversations that shape society and keeping the public informed.

Obogo urged the bereaved family to take solace in the enduring legacy of the deceased, assuring them that the state government shared in their grief and remained supportive during the difficult period.

The NUJ Chairman, Cross River State Council, Comrade Archibong Bassey, commended Governor Otu for identifying with the family and supporting the journalism community at a time of loss.

Bassey said the Governor’s intervention would provide meaningful support to the family and contribute to efforts to give the late journalist a befitting farewell.

Responding on behalf of the family, Etinyene Anietie Akpan expressed appreciation to Governor Otu for remembering the family and standing with them during their period of mourning.

She said the gesture had provided the family with a sense of support and solidarity at a particularly difficult moment, expressing gratitude to the Governor for honouring the memory of her late father.

Lecturer Dies After Hotel Encounter With 21-Year-Old Woman

A lecturer with Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, has died under mysterious circumstances inside a hotel room, with police launching an investigation into the events surrounding his final moments.

The deceased, identified as Matthew Uwuigbe of the university’s Department of Medical Laboratory Science, was reportedly found unresponsive in a hotel room in Ekpoma, headquarters of Esan West Local Government Area, after allegedly spending time with a 21 year old woman.

The incident was reported to the police at about 8am on Monday, October 5, 2026, prompting the Edo State Police Command to commence an investigation.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the incident, saying the hotel owner, manager and the young woman who was reportedly with Uwuigbe before his death had been arrested and detained for questioning.

According to the police, Uwuigbe, who was believed to be in his 50s, had lodged at the hotel and allegedly engaged the services of the woman.

Investigators are particularly interested in what happened shortly before the lecturer was discovered motionless in the room. Reports indicated that Uwuigbe had asked the woman to leave the room to purchase water.

She reportedly returned to find him lying motionless inside the room, raising questions about what may have transpired during her absence.

However, the police have yet to establish the cause of death or suggest that any of those arrested was responsible for his death.

ASP Ikoedem said the circumstances surrounding the incident remained unclear, stressing that investigators were working to piece together the events before and after the lecturer was found unresponsive.

Uwuigbe’s remains have since been deposited at a hospital mortuary pending the outcome of the investigation and further medical examination.

The police said the ongoing questioning of the hotel management and the woman who was reportedly with the deceased would form part of efforts to determine the exact circumstances of the lecturer’s death and whether any criminal offence was committed.

Betta Edu: Tinubu Will Win 2027 Presidential Election

The Director of Women Mobilisation for the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Dr. Betta Edu, has expressed optimism that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be re-elected in 2027.

Edu also praised the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for organising the APC Women Stakeholders’ Mobilisation and Empowerment Campaign Roll-Out and for championing programmes aimed at empowering women nationwide.

She spoke on Monday at the 2026 Pre-Inaugural Women’s Summit and Empowerment Programme held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, themed “Renewed Hope Agenda 2.0: From Reforms to Prosperity – One Voice, One Movement, One Choice, One Mandate 2027.”

The event had in attendance wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima; Director-General of the APC PCC, Senator Abdulaziz Yari; Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma; former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje; members of the PCC Women Mobilisation Directorate, women stakeholders from the 36 states and FCT, support groups and CSOs.

At the summit, Edu led participants in a spirited chant: “Winner! Oh, oh, oh! Winner! Jagaban! You don win o!” – declaring that President Tinubu will remain in office till 2031.

The chant got the First Lady, wife of the Vice President, wife of the Senate President, over 30 governors’ wives and other dignitaries on their feet as they joined in the song and dance.

Edu said APC women were already mobilising nationwide to deliver a decisive victory for Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in 2027.

She disclosed that the women’s mobilisation drive is targeting 40 million votes, with structures being activated by the First Lady across the 36 states, FCT, 774 LGAs, wards, communities and polling units.

According to her, the initiative goes beyond rallies, aiming to build a grassroots network for women leaders to engage communities and communicate the policies and achievements of the Tinubu administration.

She noted that the campaign would also highlight opportunities for women in business, agriculture, skills acquisition, governance and community development.

“We are moving into the 2027 electoral season with purpose, structure, and determination. Our target is 40 million women’s votes, and we are building the organisation required to achieve it. President Tinubu will win again,” she stated.

She urged APC women to stay united and organised, declaring, “40 Million Women Votes! One Coordinated Mobilisation! One Voice, One Movement, One Mandate for 2027.”

The summit also featured empowerment of women beneficiaries with items such as motorbikes, farm trucks and other support tools to boost their livelihoods, presented by the First Lady.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu also held a closed-door meeting with female APC candidates and other dignitaries on the sidelines of the event.

Optometrists Raise Alarm Over Eye Care Quackery, Seek NUJ Support

The Nigerian Optometric Association, Cross River State Chapter, has raised the alarm over the growing activities of unqualified practitioners in the eye care sector, warning that residents, particularly those in rural and underserved communities, are increasingly exposed to the dangers of improper eye examinations and treatment.

By Victoria Omini- CALABAR 

The association made its concerns known during an advocacy visit to the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Cross River State Council, as part of activities marking the 2026 World Sight Day.

The advocacy address was presented by the Chairperson of the association, Dr. Ogechi Cecilia Chukwu, who said the visit was aimed at seeking stronger media collaboration in promoting eye health awareness and protecting members of the public from the consequences of patronising unqualified eye care providers.

Chukwu said the association would commemorate World Sight Day on Thursday, October 8, under the global campaign, “Love Your Eyes,” with this year’s activities placing particular emphasis on teachers and eye health.

According to her, teachers occupy a critical position in identifying visual challenges among schoolchildren because they are often the first to notice when a child struggles to see the board, read properly or participate effectively in classroom activities.

She, however, stressed that teachers themselves also require good vision to effectively carry out their responsibilities, explaining that the association would therefore focus on eye health education and vision screening for teachers as part of its World Sight Day activities.

The optometrists expressed particular concern over the growing prevalence of eye care quackery in Cross River State, especially in rural communities where access to qualified optometrists remains limited.

The association warned that the absence of adequate eye care services could leave residents vulnerable to unqualified individuals who may conduct inappropriate eye examinations or administer unsafe treatments, describing the development as a serious public health and patient safety concern.

It called on the media to intensify public education on the importance of obtaining eye care services only from qualified and licensed professionals, while exposing the potential dangers associated with patronising quacks.

The association also appealed to the NUJ to use its platforms to create greater public awareness about eye health and the importance of regular eye examinations, as well as amplify the teacher focused activities planned for World Sight Day.

It further urged journalists to support advocacy for the employment of more qualified optometrists, particularly in rural communities where residents face greater challenges accessing professional eye care.

The association maintained that the media remains one of its strongest partners in the campaign to improve eye health awareness across the state and protect residents from preventable visual impairment.

As part of its appeal, the association invited the NUJ leadership and members to join the “Love Your Eyes” movement by prioritising their eye health and encouraging others to do the same.

The association also urged stakeholders to support efforts aimed at making quality eye care accessible to all Cross Riverians, stressing that protecting eyesight should be treated as a collective responsibility.

It said the campaign was ultimately about protecting vision, safeguarding the health of teachers and children, and confronting the menace of quackery in the eye care sector.

“Let us love our eyes, protect our vision, protect our teachers and children, and fight quackery together,” the association urged.

Commissioner Demands Retraction, Apology Over Alleged False Claim on PDP Campaign

The Cross River State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Pastor Ekpenyong Ene Cobham, has demanded the immediate retraction of a social media publication alleging that Governor Bassey Otu directed the leadership of the state’s local government to deny a factional candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) access to campaign venues.

By Victoria Omini- CALABAR 

Cobham made the demand during a press briefing where he addressed recent political developments in the state, including the violence, vandalism and competing narratives that emerged from an incident involving supporters of rival political interests.

The Commissioner described the alleged publication as false and capable of undermining the peace and political stability being enjoyed in the state, insisting that the Governor neither issued any directive barring the PDP factional candidate from campaigning nor instructed any government official to obstruct the activities of opposition politicians.

According to him, his attention was drawn to the publication on October 2, prompting him to commence inquiries into the circumstances surrounding its origin and circulation.

Cobham said his investigation led him to the relevant government official, who denied receiving any directive from the Governor to prevent the opposition candidate from accessing any part of the state for political activities.

He further disclosed that the official showed him the publication on his phone and subsequently drew the attention of the individual named in the publication to the alleged misinformation.

The Commissioner said he also saw a response from the concerned individual apologising over the publication and directing that the statement be taken down.

He argued that the subsequent apology and removal of the publication further raised questions about the authenticity of the original claim.

Cobham therefore challenged journalists, particularly investigative reporters, to independently verify the circumstances surrounding the publication and establish the facts rather than relying solely on narratives circulating on social media.

He said the integrity of Governor Otu and the state government should not be dragged into political disputes through what he described as deliberate attempts to create sympathy or portray the administration as hostile to opposition political activities.

The Commissioner demanded an apology from the persons responsible for the publication and their media team, warning that failure to retract the statement and apologise within 48 hours could lead to legal action.

He maintained that the Governor had no reason to obstruct any political party or candidate from exercising legitimate political rights in the state, stressing that the administration remained committed to maintaining peace and providing an enabling environment for political activities.

Addressing questions on the violence associated with the political dispute, Cobham said the incident was rooted largely in internal disagreements within the opposition party, including disputes over legitimacy, leadership and political interests.

He said the government had no interest in interfering in the internal affairs of the opposition, insisting that political disagreements should not degenerate into violence, vandalism or destruction of property.

The Commissioner also dismissed suggestions that members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were responsible for the violence, saying available evidence did not show APC members participating in the confrontation.

He said political parties and their supporters must learn to resolve disagreements peacefully, warning that the resort to violence could undermine the relative peace the state had enjoyed.

Cobham also addressed concerns over the increasing circulation of unverified information, manipulated content and alleged artificial intelligence generated materials on social media.

He acknowledged the difficulty of regulating the digital space, describing misinformation as a global challenge that could not be eliminated overnight.

According to him, the government was exploring measures to strengthen its capacity to identify and respond to misleading information circulating across social media platforms.

He, however, cautioned journalists and members of the public against automatically accepting online publications as facts, urging them to verify the source and authenticity of information before sharing or reporting it.

The Commissioner stressed that the government would not respond to every anonymous claim on social media, but would intervene whenever information with identifiable origins was deemed capable of damaging the image and integrity of the state government.

He said security remained a major priority of the Otu administration, maintaining that the government would continue to take steps to protect residents and preserve the peace necessary for political and economic activities to thrive.

Cobham assured residents that political parties would be allowed to conduct legitimate campaigns across the state, provided such activities were carried out within the bounds of the law.

He urged political actors to shun violence, misinformation and inflammatory rhetoric, stressing that disagreements over political interests should not be allowed to threaten the peace of Cross River State.