THE RACE FOR 2023: Why The South Is Distracting Itself.

By Bassey Effiom 

There is no gainsaying the  fact that, the office of Governor of Cross River State is expected to return naturally to us in Southern Cross River, given that the Northern part of the state will complete her eight (8) years term at the  expiration of the tenure of incumbent  Governor Ben Ayade on May 29, 2023. Although there have been several pontifications about all three zones having taken and any Zone could now begin the next round of rotation. The Southern Senatorial zone stands out as the first in time, having last exercised the office sixteen years ago.
But unfortunately, as if cursed by the gods, the people of the Southern Senatorial Zone have decided to fight, quarrel, altercate among themselves and wash both their clean and dirty linen in the public view.

 All through  the length and breadth of Cross River State, every ethnic group, language  or tribe has its challenges, strong points and short comings. They have always tried to work on these problems peculiar to them, and within them, they struggle to correct whatever griviance that stands as a clog in the wheel of their progress, but we have decided as a people to always dance in public for the joy of other ethnic groups within our State. When shall we rise above petty sentiments, jealousy, and hatred to ensure brotherhood, and unity reign supreme, for our collective growth, and progress?

You will agree with me that, since 2007 when Donald Duke left office, we have been quarreling among ourselves like market women, while the people of the North, and Central Senatorial zones, working together and mending fences continue to benefit more from the commonwealth because of our continuous animosity amongst ourselves. While we throw jabs at each other, our political worth and sagacity is diminishing as we ourselves continue to demarket our sons and daughters and make them unpopular and light in the eyes of the generality of Crossriverians. We seem to be working on the principle that what I cannot take let my brother also not have it. And we are gradualy loosing grip of our position of pride  in the affairs of our state, and nation at large.

In the light of the above, it has become worrisome that the litany of attacks and counter attacks against and amongst ourselves is causing us disunity, and destabilization and will certainty cost us the Governorship if we don't call ourselves to order in time.
The recent misguided attacks on some of our illustrious sons like the astute politician, Distinguished Senator Gershom Bassey, the articulate former lands Commissioner, Architect Bassey Ndem, and the brilliant young Finance Commissioner, Asuquo Ekpenyong Jnr is another way of demarketing our leading standard bearers in the ever competitive political market of Cross River State ahead of 2023. While we fight, insult and reduce ourselves, we should bear in mind that our brothers  and sisters on the other side are readily available to inherit our turn. A family that does not pray, eat and discuss together does not achieve its aims. We must take note that rotational Governorship is not a law, it is only an unofficial internal arrangement for convenience. Every Cross Riverian has a right to run for the office of Governor.  The delusion among the politicians of the Southern Senatorial Zone that we are going to produce the next Governor is not cast in stone. Anything can still happen. Let us stop tearing down ourselves and pointing out our individual weaknesses to  the general public. The walls have ears and can grow mouths, mbok!

There  are whispers everywhere, that all the Zones have taken and the next round can start from any Zone. Am I the only one hearing these whispers?  While we continue to distract ourselves with our in - fighting and name calling, other Zones are silently building and consolidating. Have you seen any attacks on major politicians from the Central Senatorial zone in the social media or anywhere else recently? The central is organizing, and uniting among itself to take over a position which we would have gotten, with ease if we were organized. Have we not heard the rumour that a politician from the Central zone who has a very close relationship with a Governor of one of the South  - South states is working to become Governor through the financial and political support of this governor? Won't this amount to the ultimate colonization of Cross River State and a complete distabilization of our political unity and harmony?  Politics being a game or competition, favours the more organized, prepared and united group.

2023 is just by the corner, the time to unite, and stratagise is now. We the Efiks in particular should clean up our act and stop behaving like children fighting over a toy. I am not an active politician, I only seek to advise and caution. The ball is really in the Court of our practising politicians. Those who have ears, let them hear.

Bassey Effiom writes from Mbukpa in Calabar South.