Chairman of the National Assembly Cross River Caucus, Senator Gershoim Bassey
PATRICK ABANG Calabar –
A federal lawmaker, Senator Gershom Bassey has said he is in total support of power shift to the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State.
Senator Bassey explained that for the sake of unity, equity and fairness in the state, the continued rotation of the governorship seat to Cross River South Senatorial District by all political parties remains the way forward for 2023.
He stated this during the Southern Senatorial District stakeholders meeting held on Thursday in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
“It is with immense gratitude that I thank the organizers and the committees that have been set up for the actualization of this stakeholder and leadership meeting of Cross River Southern Senatorial District”.
“It gladdens my heart to see us united in the pursuit of equity, fairness and justice for all the people of Cross River State”
“Our forebears knew that it is only fairness that brings stability to a people that is why they laid down an equitable and just road map in the Calabar-Ogoja Accord”.
“They knew that it is only through equity and fairness that the people of Cross River can enjoy strength in their diversity and remain as one”. He said.
According to the lawmaker, “It is still on these grounds of equity, fairness and good conscience that we stand today”.
“Section 14(3) of the 1 999 Constitution clearly states the need for zoning and power rotation to ensure national cohesion in our nation, Nigeria.
“Article 7 (3) (c) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Constitution provides for rotation and zoning of party and public elective offices. Article 20(iv) (e) of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Constitution also provides for the principle of federal character and rotation in nomination for election or appointment”.
“My brothers and sisters, the Nigerian Constitution, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Constitution and the All Progressive Congress (APC) constitution all provided for equity and fairness in the nomination of candidates for election and appointment. “Therefore, the continued rotation of the governorship seat to Cross River South Senatorial District by all political parties in Cross River State is the way forward in 2023”
Senator Bassey, however, pledged his full support to the Calabar Declaration and join the vast majority of Cross Riverians to support the rotation of Governorship to the Southern Senatorial District come 2023.
“This is a symbol of the journey of love and brotherhood that is Cross• River State”, he said.
It would be recalled that the three Senatorial District has produced a Governor since 1999 beginning with Donald Duke from the South, Liyel Imoke Central and Ben Ayade Cross River North.
