Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) organized by Sam Bassey, community leaders in Biase Local Government Area, Cross River State, at a stakeholders’ meeting on Sunday at Biase, near Calabar, declared support for the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sandy Onor. The APC stakeholders disowned the party’s governorship candidate in the state.
Bassey, leading the APC stakeholders, noted that he will lead his followers to work for the PDP governorship candidate, Onor, while they remain in the APC.
Bassey argued that their action does not in any way imply anti-party activities; but meant to correct the injustice meted out to their constituency.
Bassey, a member of APC legacy group, protested: “the zoning structure adopted by the state chapter of the APC in their primary election is in itself anti Akamkpa/Biase federal constituency where we all hail from.”
He maintained that the time has come for the political class and political parties to demonstrate equity, fairness and justice in sharing political offices.
Bassey argued further that using zoning or rotation to deny or marginalise other minority segments of the state is against the spirit of brotherhood.
Bassey declared that the proponents of rotation are mostly those who want to continually dominate the other sections that make up a zone. He emphasized that every senatorial zone has credible people and resources to lead the state. He decried that both the APC governorship and senatorial candidates are from Efik and from one local government area.
While noting that this arrangement was with the exclusion of Akamkpa and Biase local government areas, he said it was an attempt to perpetually marginalize the minorities in the south.
“I am vehemently opposed to this kind of arrangement where some people will remain underdogs and cannot occupy certain positions.
“Against this background, I, some community leaders and hundreds of our followers in Akamkpa/Biase federal constituency have endorsed and adopted the PDP governorship candidate, Prof. Sandy Onor, ahead of 2023 polls.
“I believe that Sen. Onor can help us, we have discussed. He is very approachable and has a listening ear. We would try our best to mobilise for the election.
“I am still in the APC and a legacy member of the party.
“I have not defected, but the truth is that I am supporting the PDP because that is where the happiness of my people comes from. Besides, if my people are not happy in politics, I cannot even call myself a politician,” Bassey declared.
Chief Emmanuel Ogban also declared: “Some of us have already made up of our minds and are mobilising our people to work for the PDP governorship candidate to fight marginalisation in the south. We have been neglected.
“This 2023 election is not about party affairs, it is about capacity and credibility as well as who can deliver and redeem us from sufferings and economic doldrums.”