The Commissioner for Solid Minerals in Cross River, Rt. Hon. George O’ben-Etchi has relayed his request to see the next governor emerge from the southern axis of the state come the next governorship elections in the state.
This was contained in a statement signed by the commissioner who doubles as the convener of a socio-political group called the Southern Solidarity Front.
O’ben-Etchi in his words said:
Cross River over the years has enjoyed relative political stability and peaceful co-existence as a result of the equitable rotation of power between the senatorial districts of the state born of the zoning formula put in place by stakeholders who meant well for the state.
This rotation of power in the senatorial districts has brought about even, equitable, and sustainable development and has helped to avoid rancour, political tension, and heating up of the system in the state,
He also buttressed the fact that there has been a long living peaceful political coexistence in the state as regards to the power sharing formula in the state.
O’ben-Etchi described how the existing power sharing formula led to the emergence of former governors in the state, ranging from Donald Duke to Sen. Liyel Imoke and current governor of the state, Ben Ayade.
According to him:
It is for this reason that Gov. Ayade has made it clear in several fora that he will maintain the zoning formula by returning power to the Southern Senatorial District come 2023.
There is no doubt that the southern senatorial district has very qualified and capable persons ready to lead the state to greater heights come 2023 and are prepared to take this responsibility when the time comes.
Those, who mean well for Cross River, cannot in all fairness, conceive of sabotaging the zoning arrangement which is already in place, as this will bring disunity and take away the peace and tranquillity which we are known for and enjoy as a state.
“The cycle of power rotation must thus be maintained by staying with the zoning formula which has returned the governorship position to the Southern Senatorial District in 2023.
In addition, we strongly urge other serious political parties in the state also to zone their governorship ticket for 2023 to the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River for equity and fairness,
