Which senatorial distirct should produce the next governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (pdp) in Cross River State? Deputy Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the politics of zoninng in the chapter.
Despite the uncertainty hovering over the Electoral Amendment Bill, politicians are already perfecting moves to outdo each other ahead of intraparty nominations.
The polity is being heated by the struggle for power. At the national level, zoning is resounding. At the state level, the battle is fierce. It is all about 2023.
Second term governors are eyeing the Senate. It appears the Upper Chamber has become a retirement arena for former state chief executives. For others, the target is ministerial appointment to sustain their relevance.
Senators and members of the House of Representatives are warming up to occupy Government Houses in many states. In Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Cross River, Katsina, Ekiti, among others, the scenario is the same.
In Cross River State, three senators on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) locked in war over zoning. Indeed, rotation has existed in the state since 1999. The three PDP senators are Gershom Bassey (South), Sandy Onor (Central), and Jarigbe Agom (North).
The State sits on a tripod-South, Central and North. In 1999, Donald Duke from the South was governor. In 2007, Liyel Imoke from Central succeeded him. In 2015, Ben Ayade, took over.
Ayade, who recently defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), hails from the North. Based on the arrangement in the chapter, stakeholders said the position should return to the South.
However, Agom and Onor are allegedly opposed to the arrangement.
Onor is a first term senator and a vice chairman of a committee in the Senate. He is a successful don. But, he is seen by stakeholders as a political lightweight, who should focus on his second term bid. He has a great future ahead of him. Sources said the senator is relying on his close relationship with Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike to get the PDP ticket.
Agom is also a promising politician. He has just won a bitter legal tussle to get into the Senate. He hails from the governor’s zone. Yet, he’s one of those vehemently opposed to zoning.
In 2015, he resisted the move to zone the governor to another district. He said it was the turn of his zone to produce the governor.
Bassey is working assiduously to clinch the ticket, if the zoning is respected. His target is that Calabar area should enjoy the slot.
He said: “Our forebears knew that it is only fairness that brings stability to a people. That is why they laid down an equitable and just road map in the Calabar-Ogoja Accord.
“They knew that it is only through equity and fdirness that the people of Cross River can enjoy strength in their diversity and remain as one. It is still on these grounds of equity, fairness and good conscience that we stand today.”
Delving into the constitution and history to support his claim, Bassey added: “Section 14(3) of the 1 999 Constitution clearly states the need for zoning and power rotation to ensure national cohesion in our nation, Nigeria.
“Article 7 (3) (c) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Constitution provides for rotation and zoning of party and public elective offices.
“Article 20(iv) (e) of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Constitution also provides for the principle of federal character and rotation in nomination for election or appointment.
“The Nigerian Constitution, the Peoples Democratic Party Constitution and the All Progressive Congress Constitution all provide for equity and fairness in the nomination of candidates for election and appointment. Therefore, the continued rotation of the governorship seat to Cross River South Senatorial District by all political parties in Cross River State is the way forward in 2023.
“I therefore, lend my full support to this Calabar Declaration and join the vast majority of Cross Riverians to support the rotation of governorship to the Southern Senatorial District come 2023. This is a symbol of the journey of love and brotherhood that is Cross River State.”
A member representing Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ntufam Eta Mbora, supported the push for zoning.
He said the zoning is imperative, adding that “Nigeria’s politics is not matured for just the issue of merit.”
Mbora added: “It is a straight issue. We have agreed and I am very happy that the persons who were the architect of the zoning in the state are still very much in PDP.
“The likes of former Governors Liyel Imoke and Donald Duke and the majority of the voices that have kept the unity on the issues of zoning are all in PDP. We are starting our rotation from the South.
“There is a lot of voices reasoning that such is the proper thing to do. However, you can’t stop people who want to work for their personal interests. But, what the majority believe is that if it should go the proper way, then the rotation should start from South again.”
Kicking against the existing zoning arrangement, Agom said: “Some of those who fought against me and the zoning to Ogoja, are now crusaders of zoning. You all forgot that Ogoja never had an opportunity of producing a senator before I fought and emerged, against all odds. Anyone who wants to be governor of Cross River State in 2023, should get in to the field and prove his or her worth to the electorates.
“That includes even the North of Cross River State. Power is not donated to anyone or group. I am not an ethnic jingoist, but a crusader of good governance and effective representation. No one can has his cake and eat it. Let us get practical in the field.
“What if Senator Owan Enoh defeated Governor Ayade in 2019? What if Dr Etim Nyong defeated Imoke in 2007? Let’s tell ourselves the truth- it had always been by conquest, except in 2015, when Imoke had to go out of his way, to limit the aspirants for governorship to the North of State, on the platform of PDP and other political parties followed that direction.”
Onor’s key supporter, Ojong Agbor, said consideration for the next governor should be based on competence and not zoning.
He said: “In 1999, Donald Duke, who is from the South, contested against the late Mr. Mark Ukpo of the All Peoples Party (APP) from the North. The same happened in 2003 and 2007 when Senator Liyel Imoke from central defeated oppositions from north and south to emerge governor.
“Assuming but not conceding that zoning should be applied over and above competence, hasn’t the governorship gone round the three senatorial zones?
“Snce the three senatorial zones in the state have produced the governor; the most reasonable argument is that the next governor can come from any of the zones, excluding the North where the incumbent, Governor Ben Ayade, who will vacate office in 2023 hails from.
“By so doing, the zoning arrangement can begin from the zone that produces the governor in 2023.”
Due to the infighting in the Cross River PDP and the refusal by some gladiators to cede the position to Cross River South, analysts are of the opinion that the division may spell doom as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may produce the next governor in 2023.
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