Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has called on youths in the state to spearhead mobilisation efforts for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the next general election, saying Cross River should aim to deliver four million votes to boost its influence at the national level.
Otu made the call on Saturday during an engagement with members of the Evidence Group, a youth driven movement set up to rally young people and highlight the accomplishments of his administration.
Represented by the Deputy Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Sylvester Agabi, the governor commended the convener of the group for the initiative and said his government was committed to giving youths a central role in politics and governance.
According to him, the current administration believes in youth inclusion, which is why young people are being given priority.
He appealed to the youths to channel their energy towards securing massive support for President Tinubu, noting that delivering four million votes from the state would give Cross River stronger leverage in national negotiations.
In his remarks, the convener of the group and Special Adviser to the Governor, Comrade Edem Dominic Bassey, said the era of active youth participation had arrived. He lauded both President Tinubu and Governor Otu for their performance, saying the impressive turnout at the event was a reflection of public confidence in their leadership.
The Director General of the Evidence Group, Bassey Henry Eyoma, explained that the movement was formed to harness youth vibrancy for productive engagement, civic responsibility and leadership development.
He clarified that the group was not created to rival any existing organisation but to serve as a unifying platform for youths to contribute meaningfully to societal growth.
Eyoma noted that idleness among youths could expose them to social vices, hence the need to create avenues for their involvement in governance and economic activities.
He added that the Otu administration had already demonstrated its youth friendly disposition by appointing young people into the State Executive Council and encouraging their participation in politics.
According to him, the Evidence Group will focus on showcasing verifiable achievements of the administration in sectors such as education, health, agriculture and infrastructure.
He stressed that the group’s approach is anchored on facts rather than propaganda, which informed its slogan, No Noise Just Proof.
On youth empowerment, Eyoma disclosed that the group is collaborating with the State Planning Commission on an initiative called the Yellow Economy, aimed at helping young people convert their social media presence and digital skills into sustainable income.
Also at the event, the Director General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, Efa Effiong Nyong, said he attended to identify with the aspirations of President Tinubu and Governor Otu. He described the Otu administration as impactful and said the gathering was a demonstration of solidarity.
Similarly, the Director General of the Cross River State Geographic Information Agency, William Archibong, said the group adopted the name Evidence Group to project the concrete projects and policies of the Otu led government.
He said the movement will continue to spotlight what the administration has achieved in the last three years, especially in youth development, and called on Cross Riverians to sustain their support for more progress.
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