Southern Cross River PDP Stakeholders
2023: Southern Cross River PDP stakeholders reaffirm stand on Calabar Declaration 2021
[From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar]
Southern Senatorial District has reaffirmed its stand on the Calabar Declaration 2021 on power rotation, as the race to select the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer for the 2023 governorship elections gathers steam.
The Calabar Declaration 2021 is a multi partisan framework for the future relationship between the three senatorial districts of the state as regards the rotation of the governorship seat.
It aims to foster the unity of the state through the continued enforcement of the spirit of the Calabar-Ogoja Accord (1980) on power rotation.
The stakeholders arrived at the decision following a one day summit it organised for governorship candidates from the district.
The summit was convened by former senator representing Cross River South in the National Assembly Bassey Ewa Henshaw and graced by all the seven candidates from the district.
They are; Daniel Asuquo, Gershom Bassey, Ima Nsa-Adegoke, Mkpang Coco Bassey, Efiok Cobham, Arthur Jarvis and Nkoyo Toyo.
The summit had as theme: Resetting Cross River for Recovery and Growth – with focus on the state’s economy, leadership, politics, community values and security.
In an eight-point communiqué issued at the end of the summit, the stakeholders said they”therefore adopts the Calabar Declaration of 5th December 2021 and calls on all participants across the state to join hands to fulfill the just and equitable quest by the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State to return power to the Southern Senatorial District come 2023.
“That all aspirants should pay close attention to all the identified issues bedeviling the state like poor economic status, community and related security and how to address them.
“That the summit calls on all the aspirants from the Southern Senatorial District to come together to rally round one strong and acceptable candidate who has acceptance across the entire state and can win the governorship for the PDP.
“That the constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party supports the principle of zoning, hence, Cross River State cannot, but do the same.
“That the summit revealed that, from the quality of presentation by the aspirants, the stakeholders of the southern Senatorial District of Cross River State are satisfied and confident that the southern Senatorial District has many qualified people who can vie for the position of governor”.
As part of the summit, the aspirants interfaced with participants and answered questions on how they intended to move the state forward when elected.
