Cross River Governor-elect, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, recently revealed in an interview that he had no intention of becoming governor but was urged by his supporters to do so. Otu, a former Senator representing Cross River South senatorial district, shared details of his childhood, his political challenges, and his achievements in the House of Representatives and Senate.
Born into a strict family with a missionary father and a teacher mother, Otu recounted how he had a disciplined and tough principal who instilled fear in everyone. Despite his humble beginnings, Otu went on to become a successful politician, serving as a lawmaker representing Calabar Municipality/Odukpani federal constituency at the National Assembly and later as a Senator.
When asked about the challenges he faced politically, Otu stated that he believed power came from God and that he had no intention of becoming governor. However, he was denied a second term in the Senate, which prompted his followers to urge him to run for governor. Otu had always been a voice for the voiceless and had fought for the oppressed and cheated, even paying school fees for some of his friends. He also served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum (Upstream) and was instrumental in passing the Nigerian Content Development Act, which revolutionized the petroleum sector and improved the lives of many Nigerians.
During his time in the Senate, Otu served as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance and Banking and other Financial Institutions. He also served on committees on Navy, Power, Petroleum, and Water Resources. In 2018, he was appointed to the board of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
Throughout his political career, Otu remained committed to serving humanity and empowering his constituents. He received several awards and honors for his service, including awards of land documents, financial support, car awards, and
Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu’s journey from a humble beginning to becoming a successful politician and Cross River Governor-elect is a testament to his determination and commitment to serving his people. Despite not intending to become governor, his supporters urged him to run, and he accepted the challenge, continuing to serve humanity and make a positive impact in his community..