By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
The member of the House of Representatives representing Akamkpa/Biase federal constituency, Hon. Daniel Asuquo, has insisted that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, must abide by the principle of zoning to enable any of the govership aspirants from the Cross River South senatorial district emerge as governor of the state in 2023; claiming that it’s the turn of the South to mount the seat as state governor in 2023.
Asuquo made the remarks during his consultation with state PDP exco at the PDP secretriat on Thursday in Calabar.
The federal lawmaker stressed that in line with the PDP constitution, the party has the right to zone the seat of governor to the South on rotational basis, after two other senatorial districts had taken their shots.
Asuquo, who is a three-term lawmaker at the lower chamber of the National Assembly, canvassed for zoning of the governorship seat to non-Efik-speaking Southerners to produce the next governor in 2023, stressing that it would be unjust if the party failed to zone the seat of governor to the South.
The former chairman of Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State pledged to boost the state’s health and agriculture sectors, and improve technology, culture and tourism for the good of the state.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the state chairman of the party, Barr. Venetaus Ikem, while receiving the guber aspirant to the secretariat, assured that all aspirants would have a level playing ground in the course of their campaigns.
Ikem said, “One thing I can guarantee is that there will be a level playing ground for all aspirants so that the party can move forward.”
Ikem described zoning as a critical issue trending for now, adding, “Zoning is like a mushroom; we will approach it with caution. We will approach it when it is necessary.”
He added that a member of the National Assembly would certainly emerge as governor of the state in 2023.
Ikem charged the governorship aspirant not to include any of the party state executive into his campaign team so that the member dosen’t take side in the party primaries, which is to come before the final elections.
He said, “When you are moving around, please don’t include our exco members in your entourage. It is forbidden. You cannot pretend to be doing the right thing when you have taken side with one aspirants.”
The party chairman called for constructive criticism against the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, in which ever area that they are found wanting, stressing that it is through constructive criticism that the opposition can sit up.
He added, “We shouldn’t speak tongue in cheek when we are talking about an opposition.
“They have done badly. They are a disaster. Thank God they are going to lead the APC to doom. We must challenge these things. As we go into elections.
“Cross River State is not owing 400 billion but 146 billion. The records are there go and check. Let everyone bring whatever that they have to the table, especially good ideas for us to develop the state.”
