Cross River State governor, Apostle Bassey Otu, appears to be in competition with himself on how to acquire property everywhere in the state capital, Abuja and outside Nigeria. And he is doing this with public funds.
Gov Otu’s shopping mall along Parliamentary Road, Calabar
This runs contrary to the religious title that he holds-an apostle-while the wife is a bishop. The duo have been accused of helping themselves with funds belonging to the 10 local government areas of the state, as well as funds allocated to the state.
Gov Otu’s hotel along MCC, Calabar
Before his election as governor, Otu was known for his house at Ekorinim, where he still lives. But in the last few years, he has acquired many more property, including a massive property along the MCC Road, which was owned by a former commissioner in the state, but which has now been sold to the governor.
The property, built for use as a hotel, sits on an expansive land, adjacent the Channel View Hotel. It is believed to have been bought by Otu for about N100 billion. Work is currently going on at the site.
Gov Otu’s property near WAPI
Apart from the MCC property, Otu has also bought over the office complex that used to belong to a renowned surveyor in the state, around the Diamond Hill axis. The governor demolished the building that was there and is currently building a state-of-the art edifice there.
Our correspondent also found out that construction work is equally going on around the WAPI area of Calabar, by the governor, while his shopping mall around the Parliamentary axis of the state, near the women development centre has been completed.
Gov Otu’s property at Diamond Hill, Calabar
The most disturbing is the state’s funds that have been put into the building of the Voice of God Christian Mission, along the Calabar Highway. The church is jointly owned by Otu and his wife, Eyoanwan.
The church building has been given a facelift in the last three years after the governor took over power in the state. The place has become a Mecca for those wishing to track the governor and catch his attention.
Otu may have gone crazy with property acquisition because of the volume of state funds under his control. He is seen to have received more than five times in allocation from the federal government, compared to what his predecessor, Prof Ayade used to receive.
For example, whereas Ayade received about N3billion in allocation in April 2023, Otu got about N15 billion in April 2026. Allocation to the state has been in that range for more than two years now, according to documents obtained from FAAC.
Gov Otu’s church
This is aside from the local government funds that Otu controls. Local governments in the state get an average of N400 million from the federation account. But the governor is said to be releasing about N80 million to them for salaries and running cost, while the balance is returned to dedicated accounts controlled by the governor’s men.
Revenues generated internally are not part of this, as the government is not in the habit of declaring what it generates internally to the people, neither has it rendered accounts of how funds are spent in the state.
Otu’s chief press secretary, Mr Linus Obogo, did not take his calls when we called to get his comments on what has now been termed the merciless acquisition of property by the governor.
