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By Akpan David Calabar
A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart and Senator representing Cross River Southern District, Gershom Bassey has lamented that his party in the state has suffered the worst and most humiliating defeat in 24 years.
PDP’s unbroken run of winning every Governorship election since the return of democracy in 1999 was yesterday broken when INEC formally announced Prince Bassey Otu of he APC as the governor-elect. The APC had also won 22 seats out of 25 in the state assembly as well as Cross River Central and Southern Senatorial Districts.
Gershom Bassey who is the chairman of Cross River National Assembly caucus stated this in a statement of congratulations to the Governor-elect Senator Bassey Otu of APC.
He expressed sadness for the losses and situation of the party in Cross River State, saying he was in sympathy with his party men who contested those elections for them.
Congratulating the very few that won, he urged several others that lost, wishing them them better luck next time.
“The PDP has suffered the most spectacular and humiliating rejection by Cross Riverians in its over 24year 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.”
He said the people abhorred imposition, colonialism, bigotry which reason they spoke out but that they are their brothers’ keepers and so we abhor imposition, bigotry, jingoism, hate speech and even colonialism.
He noted that the ethnic sentiment, division and hate speeches that played out were alien to their culture.
He particularly frowned at the suspected attempt where the state was to be annexed as a personal property of puppeteers, likening it to a joke which was stoutly resisted by voters.
He commended the electorate, who he said came to settle all the arguments amongst the PDP politicians.
“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.”
Commending the Governor-elect, Gershom Bassey urged him to lead well, saying they are proud of him.
