Political Assembly mobilises traders,ignites Watt market, flags of mega streets endorsements for APC candidates in CRS.
By John Bassey & Ejeh Peter
CALABAR, CROSS RIVER — The Cross River State Political Assembly (CRISPA) has taken its grassroots mobilisation drive to Watt Market, Calabar, where it formally flagged off its Mega Streets’ Endorsement for APC Candidates, Season One (Southern Cross River Edition) on Friday, September 25, 2026.
The colourful and energetic gathering drew a broad spectrum of APC stakeholders, market leaders, traders and grassroots supporters, underscoring the growing political activity ahead of the 2027 elections.
Among those in attendance were the Deputy Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State, Barr. Ogana Lukpata; the State Secretary, Pastor Patrick Asuquo Okon; Ntufam Hon. Comr. John Nkom Etuk, former Executive Chairman of Etung Local Government Area and APC Cross River State Assistant Auditor; and Comr. Dan Obo, Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Edet Otu on Youth Mobilisation.
Also present were Dr. Victor Ogar and Mrs. Fanny Odey, CRS Coordinator/Programme Manager for the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), who represented the Cross River State First Lady, alongside other political stakeholders, CRISPA members and the leadership of Watt Market led by Elder Okon.
Addressing the gathering, CRISPA Director-General, Comrade Amb. Ejeh Peter, urged traders and residents to sustain the momentum generated by the endorsement and, according to him, translate their support into votes for APC candidates in the 2027 elections.
«“While we continue to demonstrate support after this endorsement, we must translate our support into significant votes in the coming elections. We must triple our votes for our Governor, His Excellency, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, and our dependable and refined leader, his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, and extend the same support to all APC candidates in the South and, by extension, across the state,” he said.»
Peter also announced CRISPA’s commitment to grassroots economic empowerment, revealing plans by the organisation to support more than 300 market women across Cross River State through stipends and other forms of assistance aimed at strengthening petty traders.
The announcement added an economic dimension to the political mobilisation, with the organisation positioning grassroots empowerment as a key component of its engagement with traders and other community stakeholders.
Political stakeholders who addressed the traders at the event stressed the importance of grassroots participation, sustained political engagement and collective mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
In their endorsement remarks, Watt Market Women Leader, Mrs. Victoria, and Elder Okon, President of the Watt Market Union, expressed support for the APC and its candidates, according to statements made at the gathering.
The atmosphere reached a high point as traders and supporters erupted in chants of “Sweet Prince 5/5!”, reflecting the enthusiasm displayed by sections of the crowd.
The Watt Market event marks the beginning of CRISPA’s Mega Streets’ Endorsement campaign, with the organisation saying the initiative is designed to deepen direct engagement with communities and strengthen its grassroots structure across Cross River State.
CRISPA called on APC stakeholders, supporters and grassroots leaders to take the engagement beyond political rallies by interacting directly with residents, listening to their concerns and strengthening communication between the party and the electorate.
With the flag-off at Watt Market, CRISPA says its focus will remain on grassroots mobilisation, political engagement and empowerment, as the state’s political landscape begins to take shape ahead of the 2027 elections.
