By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
A chieftain of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Cross River State, Chief Sam Bassey, has hailed the Back-To-South mantra, initiated by the state governor, Professor Ben Ayade, insisting that the agenda favours the governorship candidate of tbe PDP, Senator Prof. Sandy Ojang Onor.
Bassey, a former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC dumped the party about three months ago due to what he called the marginalization of the minority South and non-Efik speaking South, by cabals in the APC.
Justifying his support for the PDD governorship candidate, even though the candidate hails from Cross River Central senatorial district of the state, Bassey maintained that Cross River is both patrilinea and matrilinea.
He averred that providence can endowed an individual to enjoy benefits or privileges from any part of the state, if either of the beneficiary’s parents hails from the state.
He said, “Even the ‘Back-To-South’ sentiment is very good for Prof. Onor, because his mother is from Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State.
“Yes, Cross River State is both patrilineal and matrilineal.
“You can enjoy any benefits or privileges in any part or the entire Cross River State if any of your parents is from any part of the state.
“Examples abound of persons whose fathers are non-Cross Riverians, but mothers with Cross River State citizenship that have been appointed and elected into public offices in and outside Cross River State.
“They cut across the three senatorial districts of Cross River State. We have one from the Central senatorial district, who is currently the chairman of a board of a blue chip federal agency.
“The father of this great gentleman is not from Cross River State, but his beloved mother is a great daughter of Cross River State. We are very proud of him.
“The point here is that even if the sentiments of ‘Back-To-South is invoked, Professor Onor is very very qualified for the 2023 governorship of Cross River State.”
Bassey stressed that Senator Onor remains the most qualified and actual one to assume the seat of governor of the state as far as 2023 is concerned, calling on all to put their weight solidly behind the PDP candidate, notwithstanding the senatorial district.
He said, “Having risen to the pinnacle of the academic community as an erudite Professor of History, with many publications that have made appearances in prestigious international journals to his credit, he was Chairman of Etung Local Government, where he did very well, leaving his positive footprints on the sands of time.
“As chairman of Etung Local Government, Onor had his leadership qualities identified, just as the peacock that cannot be hidden and was elected the Vice Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON.
“Onor has served as the Chairman of the Cross River State Local Government Service Commission, as well as Cross River State Commissioner for Agriculture and Commissioner for Environment.”
He also cited his experience as a sitting senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the orator of the Red Chambers.
The party chieftan claimed that all his experience added together shows that Professor Onor is a round peg in a round hole, hence the most qualified to take charge of the state.
