The senator representing Cross River State in the upper chamber of the National Assembly on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, reacts to the emergence of All Progressives Congress, APC’s Senator Bassey Edet Otu as Cross River State governor-elect, shortly after his declaration by the Independent Natıonal Electorla Commission, INEC. NSAN NDOMA-NEJI, brings you Gershom’s words:
“Today, I am sad for my party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Cross River State. I am particularly sad about our losses in the House of Assembly elections, and I sympathize with the good men and women who contested those elections for us.
“Take heart and better luck next time. For the very few that won, congratulations. PDP’s unbroken run of winning every governorship election since the return of democracy in 1999 is gone. Also gone are over 22 House of Assembly seats.
“The PDP has suffered the most spectacular and humiliating rejection by Cross Riverians in its over 24-year history.
“It is now time for very sober reflection.
What this election has critically demonstrated is that we, the political leaders, must always listen to those that we aspire to lead, especially in this new age of BVAS and improving electoral processes.
“Cross Riverians are a proud and dignified people. We are also our brothers’ keepers and so we abhor imposition, bigotry, jingoism, hate speech, and even colonialism.
So, the idea that elections can be won by spewing ethnic sentiments and promoting division is alien to our culture and vexatious to the spirit of every Cross Riverian.
“The idea that our state can be annexed as the personal property of puppeteers is a joke, and will always be resisted by voters. I congratulate the vast majority of the Cross River State electorate, who are not card carrying members of any political party and who stood for equity, justice and fairness in this election.
“You, the electorate, have settled all the arguments, postulations, theorizing and calculations. You said it loud and clear that having waited patiently for 16 years without complaint, but lovingly supporting their brothers in other senatorial districts, it is the turn of the Southern senatorial district of Cross River State to produce a governor.
“You, the electorate, have emphatically said that one good turn deserves another and endorsed “Back-To-South.”
“The principle of rotation and zoning in Cross River State has been, by your singular action, established forever. End of discussion. The matter is now settled.
“Finally, let me congratulate the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its candidates, led by Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, “Sweet” Prince, on behalf of the entire people of the Southern senatorial district of our state, from where you hail and whom I represent in the 9th National Assembly, we are proud of you. God bless you and your family. Your Excellency, lead our beloved Cross River State well. Make us proud.”
•Senator Bassey represents Cross River South senatorial district in the National Assembly and is also the Chairman, Cross River State National Assembly Caucus.
