Andy Esiet, Calabar
A sociopolitical pressure group, Cross River state Senatorial District Assembly, (CRSSSDA), has warned against any attempt by any group or persons trying to stop the people of Cross River South Senatorial District from production the next governor of the state in 2023.
Already the three Senatorial districts of the state have taken their turn in the governorship seat which started in 1999 with the South and Donald Duke was the governor for two terms. Senator Liyel Imoke from Central took over in 2007 and ended in 2015 which Senator Ben Ayade took over and expected to end in 2003.
But there are strong indications that the zoning arrangement may start from anywhere as being canvassed by some persons but CRSSSDA in a statement yesterday warned leaders in the south and other politicians in the state to desist from activities capable of hindering a Southern Senatorial from producing the next governor in 2023 after Ayade.
The statement which was signed by the CRSSSDA Chief of Party, Mr. John Offiong warned that anybody or group of persons who wants to scuttle the gentleman agreement will be doing that at his or her peril as “we warn against betrayal” adding, “the era of lifting hands or imposing candidates has passed and no one can trample on our collective destinies anymore.
“As the 2023 General Elections draw closer with several political activities our attention has been drawn to the hideous activities of some of the leaders from the Southern Senatorial District of the State.
“These leaders with huge deposit of betrayal tendencies have started romancing with some gubernatorial aspirants from the Central Senatorial District of the state in a bid to support their aspirations for the Cross River Governorship stool come 2023” .
They group further said, “in as much as we respect every man’s constitutional rights especially as it relates to the freedom of association and political aspirations, as a Pro Southern sociopolitical pressure group, we seek to use this moment to sound a note of warning to all Cross Riverians especially those from the political class, across political party lines that we will not fold our hands and watch as our collective destinies are being trampled upon.
“It is worthy to note that as a group, we have over time repeatedly echoed our position as it relates to the zoning formula of the gubernatorial position of the state. We once again want to reenact our commitment to that zoning structure that has left the state in a peaceful, indivisible and united, state and also posit that we are not ready to compromise our stand.
“Anybody or group of persons who want to scuttle the gentleman agreement will be doing that at his/her own detriment.Let it be known that Cross Riverians are now awake. We are no more docile, if we ever were The era of lifting hands or imposing candidates has passed.
“We the people of Cross River will determine who governs us and not one man from Delta or Rivers state or wherever. We will resist any attempt to impose an unpopular candidate in CrossRiver state.
“2023 is the turn of the South to produce the next Governor of this state and to this end, the seven local government areas of the South are working tirelessly with immense support from our brothers from Central and Northern part of the state to present credible candidates to contest the office of the governor across party lines”.
“Southern leaders should not allow personal, selfish aggrandizement make them sell their soul and the future of their children for a pot of porridge” a word is enough for the wise..
