PATRICK ABANG, Calabar –
Ahead of the 2023 Governorship election in Cross River State, Senator Gershom Bassey says he is fully prepared to run for governorship position in the state.
Senator Gershom, who represent Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State stated this is Calabar during an interview with newsmen.
Senator Gershom was reacting against the backdrop of agitation against zoning the rotation of the gubernatorial seat to the Southern Senatorial District
” As the caucus leader for Cross River in the National Assembly, what has the National Assembly members brought to the state?
“I’m sure that all members can answer this question positively. Personally, I will soon publish my scorecard for the 8th and 9th assembly. It will give a full account of my activities. I am sure that you will give me an A, after evaluating it”
On zoning, the senator said: it’s is a moral and equity-based question and resolution passed by the PDP caucus. One leg of that resolution was zoning the Gubernatorial seat to the North in 2015. Now, the 2nd leg is zoning the seat to the South and this must also be implemented.
According to him, the South does not depend on zoning and I do not depend on zoning. I am ready to match anybody from anywhere regardless of their zone. I have the guts and the grassroots support in every community and every zone across the State, to run the gubernatorial race. I have what it takes”, he stated.
“Zoning is about equity and a moral persuasion, which I believe is now due to the South. But if other zones feel otherwise, I’m prepared to contest at the primaries and general elections against anybody. It amuses me to hear insinuations that the south is not prepared, the south is lazy, and the south is broke and does not have the financial muscle to run an election”
“My empowerment programs, inflows to the state and generosity are unparalleled. That is why after my consultations if I decide to run it will be with or without zoning. It will be based primarily on my record qualification and capacity. We will match anybody naira for naira, dollar for dollar. If they go to get money from Bill Gates to fight, we WILL go to Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk in response. The next Governor will be from the south he noted.
“if I decide to run, my record qualification, capacity and unparalleled empowerment programmes within the State will speak for itself, regardless of the opposition.
I have the state’s blueprint and I know where and how to turn the fortunes of our dear state around, if given the mandate. I implore my supporters across the State to be calm. I will continue to engage every stakeholder I need to engage”. He said
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