The Evidence Group, a youth focused political mobilisation platform associated with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State, has made a major entry into the state’s political space with a massive solidarity walk in Calabar, drawing young people and supporters from across the state.
The organisers described the exercise as a one million man solidarity walk, themed “WE DEY WALK, E DEY SHOW,” and said it marked the formal commencement of the group’s activities and a broader grassroots mobilisation programme ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Participants marched through major streets of Calabar with banners, placards, music and solidarity chants in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Bassey Edet Otu and the APC.
The Evidence Group said its emergence was driven by the need to create a central platform through which young people across Cross River could organise, participate meaningfully in political and civic activities, and have a stronger sense of belonging in governance.
Beyond political mobilisation, the group said it would focus on showcasing what it describes as the evidence of development under the Tinubu administration at the federal level and the Otu administration in Cross River State, while taking its activities to communities, wards and the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.
Speaking during the event, the initiator of the Evidence Group, Mr. Edem Bassey, applauded the massive participation of young people, describing the turnout as a clear indication of the willingness of youths to take their rightful place in political participation and governance.
Bassey said the initiative was conceived as a platform to give young people a stronger voice and create opportunities for them to participate actively in shaping the political direction of the state.
“This is not just a group, it is a movement for young people to give them a proper sense of belonging, and it has come to stay,” he said.
He maintained that the growing participation of young people in the administration and political structures of the state demonstrated the increasing relevance of youth engagement.
Also speaking, the Director General of the Evidence Group, Mr. Bassey Eyoma, said the movement was established to harness the numerical strength and energy of young people and channel them towards productive civic participation, leadership and community development.
Eyoma said the group would not compete with existing organisations but would provide an additional platform through which young people could unite and contribute to political and developmental activities.
He explained that the group’s philosophy was encapsulated in its slogan, “No Noise, Just Proof,” with a focus on identifying and communicating tangible projects and programmes of government.
He also disclosed that the group would expand its mobilisation beyond Calabar to the Northern and Central Senatorial Districts and subsequently to all 18 Local Government Areas of the state.
Representing Governor Bassey Otu at the event, the Deputy Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Sylvester Agabi, commended the organisers and participants for the massive mobilisation.
Agabi said the administration remained committed to youth inclusion and urged the young people to sustain their unity and channel their collective energy towards constructive civic participation and the development of the state.
He also encouraged participants to take the message of the movement back to their respective communities, wards and local government areas.
The Deputy Speaker also highlighted the administration’s emphasis on security and youth engagement, urging young people to use their strength and numbers responsibly.
The State Chairman of the APC, Rt. Hon. Christopher Etta, similarly commended the Evidence Group for what he described as an impressive mobilisation of young people for the party.
Etta urged the organisers and participants to ensure that the energy generated by the movement was properly channelled towards constructive political engagement and meaningful contributions to the party and the state.
The walk was formally flagged off by Hon. Sylvester Agabi, Deputy Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly.
The event was also attended by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief (Dr.) Emmanuel Ironbar, alongside other senior government officials, political stakeholders and supporters of the APC.
Ironbar described the turnout as evidence of the enthusiasm surrounding the emerging movement and linked the concept of “Evidence” to what he described as the performance of the state and federal administrations.
The Chief of Staff had earlier endorsed the Evidence Group as an emerging youth based political movement, stressing the importance of organised youth participation in the political process.
The Calabar walk, which brought together participants from different parts of Cross River, represents the first major public activity of the Evidence Group.
The organisers say it is only the beginning of a wider grassroots mobilisation effort that will extend across the three senatorial districts and the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.
With its youth centred structure, grassroots mobilisation strategy and stated focus on showcasing government projects and programmes, the Evidence Group says it intends to build a sustained platform for youth participation in governance, civic engagement and political mobilisation across Cross River State.
