Cross River Central district leaders back Bassey, zoning of 2023 governorship

[From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar]

As the race towards the 2023 governorship elections in Cross River gathers steam, leaders and stakeholders of the state’s Central Senatorial District have massively queued behind the aspiration of Senator Gershom Bassey.

The leaders which include the traditional institution made this known during a consultative visit to the district by Senator Bassey.

The people of the district which comprises Ikom, Boki, Etung, Obubra, Abi and Yakurr uninamously said they stand by zoning in the interest of peace, equity and fairness.

They also stressed that they had been beneficiaries of zoning arrangement in the state that produced Senator Liyel Imoke as governor from 2007 t0 2015.

They also said they will queue behind Sen. Bassey to win the governorship come 2023 considering his tall achievement in the senate with 28 effective bills, constituency projects and grants to the people.

During the consultative visit to Ikom, Paramount Ruler of the area Ntol Peter Njul Eku while receiving Sen. Bassey asserted that they have taken a position to support the zoning of governorship to the southern senatorial district.

He said they had previously unanimously met with the leaders of the central and Governor Ben Ayade when he was still in PDP to decide the existing zoning of governorship to be returned to the south.

In his words, “at this point no individual within or outside community can change the sacrosanct resolution of the traditional custodians which is in tangent with the government, party elites and the entire state as Senator Gershom Bassey would be supported and voted in as Governor of Cross River State come 2023”.

Also speaking, Barr Attah Ochinke who is from Boki and a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state acknowledged that Ikom people stood by the past two administrations which Sen. Gershom was part of the planning and delivery of governance and as well encouraged the #BacktoSouth Agenda.

Ochinke who is the current Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Cross River State as well as a founding member of the PDP, affirmed the existence of zoning arrangement in the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) ab initio in the state.

Ochinke who also spoke at Boki, mentioned that “zoning has been a culture of the PDP which has kept Cross River in peace , fairness and tranquillity, and the same zoning has benefited the people of Ikom and so the people should support Sen. Gershom Bassey for the delivery of optimum governance to Cross Riverians”.

He said, “zoning simply means turn by turn, and who ever turn it is should be allowed to benefit from the arrangement”.

While receiving Senator Bassey in Etung, the PDP Youth Leader, Comrade Assam Mbe, said, the youths of Etung are all out to support Sen. Bassey to  become governor in Cross River State.

In Obubra, speaking on behalf of the Obubra people,  Chief  Sylvanus said, Obubra is a parent to other local Government areas in the state and is very active in the politics of Cross River State.

On zoning, he said, “it is a binding resolution that has maintained the peace and progression of Cross River State and power has to return to the south for Sen. Gershom Bassey to become Governor and rebuild Cross River State, while Central Cross River waits for their turn to produce a Governor peacefully…I urge the Obubra people to support the Governorship ambition of Senator Gershom Bassey come 2023”.

The Cross River State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Comrade Dan Obo said the youths and Obubra people stand on zoning from 1999 till date.

Dr. Itam Abang, the member representing Boki 1 state Constituency, and a PDP stalwart, described  Bassey  as “a man with consummate administrative experience who will give the Boki people in the rural areas the opportunity to utilize their natural resources that will bring socio-economic development to the state” .

He commended the achievement of Senator Bassey in the senate saying he sponsored several impacting bills in favour of Cross Riverians and the entire country.

 In Yakurr, the Yakurr people of Central Senatorial district,  declared their total support for Senator Gershom Bassey, as he arrived at the Palace of the Obol Lopon of Ugep in continuation of his consultation towards the 2023 Cross River State Gubernatorial poll.

His Majesty, King Obol Ofem Ubangha, the Obol Lopon Of Ugep And Paramount of Yakurr Local Government Area who is sometimes referred to as the Lion of Omor Otutu affirmed that “The caliber of men that have brought Sen. Gershom Bassey to Yakurr L.G.A for consultations were respectable sons of the soil, of high pedigree.

“The  politicians here are most successful in the senatorial district who are fully aware the prerequisites to serve in the aforementioned capacity and who, without any iota of doubt can deliver the seat provided the dist senator clinches the party ticket come 2023”.

The council of traditional rulers prayed and blessed the Senator on his quest.

In Abi, the Abi Monarch, party faithful, leaders also endorsed Sen. Gershom Bassey as friends donated a Toyota Coaster bus for his campaign.

Receiving the Senator and his entourage, the Paramount Ruler of Abi, His Royal Highness, Ovai Edward Osim thanked God for the life of the Senator, trusting God to be with him, guide and accompany him on this mission.

“Whatever will stand on his way to getting to the government house by 2023, Father clear such things away. We are appealing and praying that he will remember that the traditional institution is a very sure foundation that one should trust and rely on”.

While commending the giant stride of the Senator, the Director-General, Sen. Gershom Bassey Campaign Organization in the central part of the state, Hon. Eko Ato pledged his complete support to the Senator, assuring him that Abi LGA will give him all the supports he needs.