Reliable sources told GRASSROOT REPORTERS that following the insistence of the Rivers State Governor, Barr. Nyesom Wike on imposing the Senator representing Cross River Central, Senator Sandy Onor on the party as the flagbearer for next year's governorship election in the state, the party chieftains are not happy with the arrangement, and appear set to leave the party soon.
Top members of the party tipped to leave before party primaries begins, along with their supporters, according to our sources are Senator Gershom Bassey, Rt. Hon. Daniel Asuquo, former deputy governor, Barr. Efiok Cobham, former member representing Odukpani/Calabar Municipality in the House of Representatives, Hon. Nkoyo Toyo and Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong, the proprietor of Arthus Jarvis University.
Sources in the party who pleaded anonymity told GRASSROOT REPORTERS that most of the State Exco members of the party, including the State Chairman, Barr. Venatius Ikem have thrown their weight behind the ambition of Senator Onor, Wike's alleged preferred candidate, against the general believe that it is the turn of southern Cross River to produce the governor.
The PDP in the state believes that its flagbearer could come from any zone, even though zoning is embedded in its constitution.
On December 29, 2021, Senator Bassey countered the party when he stormed the PDP Secretariat in Calabar with his supporters to insist on zoning of governorship to the south.
Senator Bassey reminded the party executives that it was time they rose up and stand for the truth.
He said:
“This party is known for the truth. The foundation of our great party PDP is built on truth and it is only truth that can set you and I free
“When in 2015 , the governorship slot was zoned to the north, did anybody from the south contest?
“Mr chairman you were in that meeting, Mba Okwueni you were there, you were even the chairman of that committee, I was there and any other persons who are here today were there too”.
“No one running for governor in any party in this state has my capacity.
“In terms of vision, nobody can match the vision I have for Cross River and Cross Riverians. In terms of security and infrastructure development, nobody can match my capacity.” Senator Bassey said.
GRASSROOT REPORTERS gathered that despite making pronouncements that he will not interfere in the electoral process in Cross River State, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State is hell-bent on making sure that his friend, Senator Onor, clinch the party ticket
In order to realize their ambitions, it was gathered that some of the party bigwigs from the south are currently consulting and their positions and next destination would be made known in the coming days.
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