By CrossRiverWatch Admin
Code888, a political pressure group and acclaimed originator of the back-to-south mantra, has said it will intensify grassroots campaigns and mobilization for Prince Bassey Otu, the All Progressive Congress governorship candidate in next month’s election.
The group said the mobilization is in continuation of their struggle to actualize the Back-To-South agenda that would lead to the enthroning of their candidate as governor.
Speaking at the group’s meeting in Calabar on Sunday, the Director General, Mr. Maurice Nkong, said that Code888 support for Bassey Otu is for equity, Justice and because the candidate has performed well in every position he has held.
His words, “In terms of who is standing for the election, you will see that the southern candidate (Prince Bassey Otu) is better than the other candidate. The thing is that when you zone, there’s that tendency for the region to look for the best among them. But when you leave it open, the strongest or the person who has the most money will carry the day. Prince Otu is the best foot forward the south is putting out.”
The DG also added that “the 888 is to say that the south has gotten their 8 years, the central have gotten their 8 years, and for equity and fairness the north also would have their 8 years. And having achieved that, we also believe that it will be fair for us to also stand by the southerners who stood by us to ensure that power moves to the north.
“To this end, we have already done a lot. In February 2021 we launched the Back-To-South hashtag. We called youth leaders and leaders of student groups across the State and appealed to them to support the movement of power back to the south. On 11 August 2021, we officially inaugurated our local government structure to go back and do the work. That’s why you see that the Back-To-South is spreading fast across the 18 local governments. It’s a deliberate campaign.
“Now we want to finish off by doing the community engagement which will resume on the 16th of February. We want to get back to the community to ensure that people know why they should support the southern candidate.
Also Speaking, Code888 media director, Mr. Hope Obeten, who is also a member of the APC State Campaign Council, assured that the group will take the back-to-south campaign using the media and local languages to reach rural dwellers who make up 70% of the total electorates.
He said, “recall that we are the progenitors of the Back-to-South campaign, we started this movement two years ago before electioneering activities began. We are happy today we are one step to delivering a back-to-south Governor, in the person of Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu.”
On his part, Mr. Great Ogban Usetu, Special Assistant to the governor on Entrepreneurship said the group will mobilize all the captains of industries, traders, market women, artisans, and professional bodies to support the Back-To-South agenda and Senator Prince Otu who has unveiled his policy thrust called “People First”.