Chieftain of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) Chief MBA Ukwenu (SAN)
By PATRICK ABANG, Calabar –
A Chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief MBA Ukwenu (SAN) has said that the decision to adopt Senator Gershom Bassey as its consensus candidate was for the best interest of the Cross State.
Speaking to our corespondent in Calabar after the endorsement, Chief Okwenu stated that Southern Senatorial District Elders Forum also declared its total support on zoning, saying it is Southern Cross River’s turn to produce the next Governor of Cross River.
According to him, the Southern Senatorial District Elders Forum consists of eminent personalities such as Chief Gershom Davis- Cal. South, Prof. Offiong Ani Offiong- Cal. Municipality, Chief(Dr.) Kofi Ikpeme- Odukpani, Chief Ekpenyong Uguana, – Biase, Ntufam Linus Ekpe- Akamkpa, Hon. Patrick Okon- Akpabuyo, Hon. Boniface Archibong- Akpabuyo, Dr. Maurice Ekong- Ca. South and Hon. Emmanuel Etene- Bakassi.
Others are; Hon. Chris Ekpo- Cal. Municipality, Effiong Mkpanam- Cal. Municipality, Francis Ironbar- Cal. South, Maurice Orok Edem- Cal. South, Nella Ewa(SAN)- Cal. south, Patricia Endeley- Cal. South, Deaconess Mary Etim Walker- Cal. South,
Rosemary Essessien- Cal. South, Hon. Orok Iban- Calabar south, Barr. Ekpo Ada- Odukpani, Joseph Adim Bassey- Bakassi, Caroline Adam Moffat – Akamkpa and Mrs Nkechi Ebri- Cal municipality.
The legal luminary said they are endorsing Senator Bassey because “within his two terms in the Senate, he has been adjudged by his scorecard, to be one of the best, highly efficient and most active senators of the Nigerian Senate, precisely among the best 10”.
Chief Ukwenu said Sen. Bassey’s five-point agenda which include: “Prioritizing peace and security, Economy restoration and development, Effective and inclusive governance, Education/Health, Youth development and Social inclusion and Tourism ” is reflective of a concise plan, which if executed would take Cross River State to its desired destination”.
He further said the forum is supporting Senator Bassey because “he has been loyal party man right from foundation and has respected the principle of zoning that eventually brought Governor Ben Ayade to power hence “it is Southern Cross River’s turn to produce the next Governor of Cross River State and on Senator Gershom Bassey we stand!”
“In the light of palpable tension existing within the Cross River State political atmosphere, regarding which Senatorial district produces the next governor in 2023, it is needful that this brief, simplified history be made available to the public, in an attempt to put to rest issues of zoning, or free contest”
