By Andy Esiet, Calabar
In clement weather and colourful day, Boki Local Government Area on January 11, went agog as the 2023 Cross River State governorship hopeful, Senator Gershom Bassey stormed Okuyi, the council capital in continuation of his governorship consultation programme.
Senator Bassey who represents Cross River South in the Senate is aspiring to take over from Governor Ben Ayade in 2023 as men, women, and youths of Boki and its environs turned out en masse to welcome him.
The women groups in Boki who also rallied around the aspirant and his entourage declared that the women of Boki have taken a stand ab initio to support Senator Bassey as Governor of Cross River State come 2023.
The Chief Priest of Wambuneh Support Organisation, Mr. Asu Abang said they are ready to support the candidature of Sen. Bassey who is popularly known as “The Eagle” to become the Governor of Cross River State.
He appealed for inclusiveness in the project of the distinguished Senator as Wambuneh has a lots of delectable offers for the “landing Eagle”.
Also speaking at the event, a former Attorney General of the state, who is the incumbent Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, Cross River State and a founding member of PDP, Barr. Attah Ochinke, stated unequivocally that “zoning simply means turn by turn, and nobody should be misled or hoodwinked as PDP recognizes zoning”.
The member representing Yakurr 1 Constituency, Hon. Nelson Ofem reiterated that leadership is a foundation for every finesse and Sen. Bassey has been part of the administration that brought the state to her limelight and still has a blueprint that is best for the development of the state as he intends to redeem and redirect.
However, the state chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Comrade Daniel Obo declared that the support of the youths for Sen. Bassey can not be overemphasised and urged the youths to be part of planting an administration that is youth inclusive and result-oriented.
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, 21 impacting bills in favour of Cross Riverians and the entire country.
While addressing the people of Boki, Bassey said PDP is a party of hard-working people and the party from inception has been committed to working for the citizens of the State and he has come to celebrate Christmas and new year with the Boki people.
Bassey said he was in Boki to consult the Boki people for his governorship ambition as “2023 would be a turning point for the people of Cross River state” and stressed the need for the Boki people to choose the right leadership by voting PDP and his candidacy that would bring infrastructural and human development.
He called for their support towards his gubernatorial ambition come 2023, saying he needs to win the gubernatorial seat to restructure Cross River with astute developmental projects that are befitting the State and her people.
He thanked them for their warm reception and promised that when voted into power as governor, his government will always remember Boki as “an integral part of the state that is filled with vibrant youths, men, and women, coupled with a pristine rain forest in Africa”.
