Rt. Hon. Dr Davies Etta, Deputy Leader of the Cross River State House of Assembly and member representing Abi State Constituency, has distanced himself from reports describing him as an aggrieved lawmaker opposed to Governor Bassey Edet Otu and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Etta, in a rejoinder, described the report as misleading and inconsistent with his political position, insisting that his participation in a meeting with the leadership of the support group, Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria, was not an indication of disloyalty to the governor or the APC.
He confirmed that he met with Hon. Innocent Egede, the group's National Director of Strategic Deployment and Implementation, alongside other lawmakers, to explore opportunities for integration into its national leadership structure and contribute to mobilisation efforts in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, the meeting was aimed at expanding their participation in the support group's activities rather than expressing opposition to the governor or the party's candidates.
The lawmaker also rejected the description of an aggrieved politician, noting that his service in the 10th Cross River State House of Assembly, particularly as Deputy Leader, had been a privilege and a responsibility he continued to value.
He further maintained that seeking a third term in Abi State Constituency was not an entitlement and should not be interpreted as a basis for judging his loyalty to the party or its leadership.
Etta explained that he and the Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Francis Asuquo Ekpenyong, attended a second meeting with the leadership of Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria following an earlier engagement involving some first term lawmakers.
He said the purpose of their participation was to seek inclusion in the group's national structure to enable them to contribute more effectively to its activities and mobilisation campaigns.
Expressing disappointment over the interpretation of the meeting, the lawmaker said it was unfortunate that an engagement intended to create opportunities for greater participation in a political support movement had been portrayed as evidence of a rift with the governor and the APC leadership.
Etta declared that Governor Otu and all APC candidates in his constituency remained his preferred candidates for the 2027 elections, pledging to work for their success at the polls.
He stressed that his support for President Tinubu did not translate into opposition to Governor Otu or any other candidate of the ruling party.
“I support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Bassey Edet Otu and all APC candidates. I have neither declared opposition to the governor nor pledged to work against the party's candidates,” he stated.
The lawmaker reaffirmed his commitment to the APC, respect for the party's leadership and decisions, and dedication to the political progress of Cross River State and the development of Abi State Constituency.
He also called on media organisations to uphold the principles of accuracy, fairness and responsible journalism, urging reporters to distinguish between genuine political grievances and engagements intended to strengthen participation in party support structures.
Etta signed the rejoinder in his capacity as Deputy Leader of the Cross River State House of Assembly and representative of Abi State Constituency.
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