Betta Edu Calls for Aggressive Grassroots Mobilization to Secure APC Dominance in 2027
Former APC National Women Leader, Betta Edu, has acknowledged that the 2023 general elections presented significant hurdles for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State, particularly noting the party’s failure to secure a victory in the presidential poll within the state.
Speaking at a high-level stakeholders’ meeting convened by Governor Bassey Otu at the Calabar International Convention Centre, Edu stressed that the party must significantly intensify its efforts to ensure a more decisive outcome in the 2027 election cycle.
The meeting served as a strategic platform for the party to reassess its performance and prepare for upcoming congresses across wards and local government areas.
Edu revealed that stakeholders are already aligning strategies with an ambitious target to mobilize no fewer than 1.5 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Cross River State.
She noted that the political landscape has shifted with the recent release of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) timetable and the signing of the Electoral Act 2026, necessitating an immediate tactical adjustment by party faithful.
A central theme of her address was the urgency of voter education and field training. Edu emphasized that the electorate must be thoroughly informed about new electoral procedures, specifically the hybrid system of electronic result transmission and manual backups established by the new law.
She argued that providing clear information to the grassroots is the only way to prevent “unwanted occurrences” and ensure the party’s gains are consolidated. According to her, the work ahead requires a return to the field to equip supporters with the knowledge needed to navigate the modernized voting process.
The gathering also saw a commitment from National Assembly members and other prominent party figures from the state, who pledged to ramp up mobilization efforts across their respective constituencies.
As the APC begins its repositioning for 2027, the focus in Cross River has clearly shifted toward inclusivity and proactive engagement. The stakeholders concluded that while 2023 was a difficult test, the current administrative alignment under Governor Prince Otu provides a foundation to deliver a convincing victory for the party at both the state and federal levels in the next general elections.
