March 26, (THEWILL) – Stakeholders of the People’s Democratic Party in the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State, have adopted the Calabar Declaration 2021 ahead of the 2023 Guber race in the state.
The Calabar Declaration 2021, is a political declaration setting out the framework for the future relationship between the three senatorial districts of the state as it relates to the 2023 governorship and beyond.
The declaration is anchored on three compelling points, which include historical precedence, constitutional principle and the moral case.
The adoption is contained in a communique issued, following a one-day summit organised by the stakeholders for governorship aspirants from the district.
The summit was convened by Senator Bassey Ewa Henshaw and had the theme: Resetting Cross River for Recovery and Growth with focus on the state’s economy, leadership, politics, community values and security.
The communique read in part, “That the summit adopts the Calabar Declaration of 5th November 2021 and calls on all participants across the state to join hands to fulfil the just and equitable quest by the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State to return power to the Southern Senatorial District come 2023.
“That the constitution of the People’s Democratic Party supports the principles of zoning, hence, Cross River State cannot, but do the same.
“That the summit notes that whereas the Southern Senatorial District has waited for 16 years out of power and supported leaders from other zones; in the interest of peace and mutual coexistence, it is now the turn of the southern Senatorial District to produce the next governor of the state come 2023.
“That all aspirants should pay close attention to all the identified issues bedevilling the state like poor economic status, community and related security, and how to address them.”
All the seven PDP governorship aspirants from the district attended the summit.
They are Senator Gershom Bassey, Arthur Jarvis, Efiok Cobham, Mkpang Coco Bassey, Hon. Daniel Asuquo, Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo as well as Ima Nsa-Adegoke.
As part of the summit, all the aspirants from the district presented a synopsis of their manifesto and also answered questions from the participants.
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
