...warns against alterations of the zoning system

In a world press conference held at the Transcorp Hotel today in Calabar, a Southern Senatorial District political group under the auspices of Southern Senatorial Front – SSF has warmed against the alterations of the zoning arrangements in the State, which the group describes as one of the factor that has led to the peaceful coexistence of the diverse peculiarity of the people.

The group also raised concerns about certain individuals within the State party structure who bent at undermining the powers of the Governor, stating firmly that Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade remains the undisputable sole leader of the party and such opposing views will be met with stiff resistance.

The group which is led by the Convener, a two time house of assembly member and a serving Commissioner in the State, Rt. Hon. George Oben’chi.
Other members seated at the high table were Dr. Emil Inyang, the Governor Council Chairman of University of Cross River State, Hon. Iyadim Iyadim, Chairman of Bakassi LGA, Hon. Oliver Orok, Honourable Commissioner for Sustainable Development, Hon. Justina Edem, Chairman of Odukpani LGA and Chairman of the State NYCN.


Text of World Press Conference Held By The Southern Silidarity Front On Thursday 25th Febraury, 2021 At Transcorp Hotels, Calabar.

Cross River State Governorship 2023: Power Rotation To The Southern Senatorial District, An Equutable And Fair Position For All

The Southern Solidarity Front is a sociopolitical organisation birth to promote the economic and political interest of the Sourhern Senatorial District of Cross River State, Nigeria.

The Organisation is made up of leading personalities from the Southern Senatorial District in politics, business and other walks of life who are committed to the growth and development of the district.

Recently there has been talk about the governorship position in Cross River State starting from any of the three Senatorial districts. The proponents of this say their logic is based on the fact that the three Senatorial districts have had their turns at producing governors.

This is despite the fact that it is clear to all that the Southern Senatorial District has the next turn of producing the governor going by the rotation principle earlier adopted by stakeholders in the state.

Cross River State over the years has enjoyed relative political stability and peaceful coexistence as a result of the equitable rotation of power between the senatorial districts of the state born of the zoning formula put in place by stakeholders who meant well for the state.

This rotation of power between the Senatorial districts has brought about even, equitable and sustainable development and has helped to avoid rancor, political tension and heating up of the system in the state.

From the advent of the 4th republic, the two previous governors of Cross River State; Mr. Donald Duke and Sen. Liyel Imoke were products of zoning and the present governor Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade is also a product of zoning.

It is for this reason that the present governor of the state Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade has made it clear in several forums that he will maintain the zoning formula by returning power to the Southern Senatorial District come 2023.

There is no doubt that the Southern Senatorial District has very qualified and capable persons ready to lead the State to greater heights come 2023 and are prepared to take this responsibility when the time comes.

Those who mean well for Cross River State can not, in all fairness, conceive of sabotaging the zoning arrangement which is already in place; as this will bring disunity and take away the peace and tranquility which we are known for and enjoy as a state.

The cycle of power rotation must thus be maintained by staying with the zoning formula which has returned the Governorship position to the Southern Senatorial District in 2023.

The other senatorial districts must, in good faith, work with the Southern Senatorial District to ensure that a young, visionary governor, in the mould of what we have had in the imediate past administrations, emerges from the Peoples Democratic Party to lead the State going forward.

We are also calling on the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party at the national level to keep faith with the zoning formula in the state because the party has been made strong and has kept its winning ways as a result of the power rotation/zoning which exists in the State.

In addition, we strongly urge other serious political parties in the State to also zone their Governorship ticket for 2023 to the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State for equity and fairness.

We warn those who because of their selfish interests are heating up the system with these political issues to stop distracting the governor and other elected and appointed personalities from their responsibilities as it is yet too early to start discussing 2023 gubernatorial election or any other elections at this time.

Indeed, the governor of Cross River State Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade is focused on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of the State through good governance and will not be drawn into rancorous politics at this time.

We also warn all persons who are poised to undermine the Office of the Governor to cease forthwith and accord the Office the respect it deserves. The governor remains the sole leader.of the party in the State and final political decisions and directions will come from him at the appropriate time.

We celebrate the governor of the state on his Agro industrialization strides, restoration of security in the state, expansion of government to accommodate young people and putting Cross River State on a sound footing of industrialization, prosperity and self sufficiency.

Finally, let us all join hands together to develop Cross River State now and in the future and let us put the state first, make the collective interests of its people paramount as we pledge our heads, hearts and hands through the years to be.