C’River southern elders insist on zoning, back Ayade for governorship election

Gov. Ben Ayade

By Emmanuel Unah

Political leaders of the seven local government areas of the Southern  Senatorial District of Cross River have insisted on retaining the existing  zoning arrangement  in the state and have thrown their weight behind the re-election bid of  Senator Ben Ayade on  Saturday’s   governorship election.

Chief Asuquo Ekpenyong, Leader of the 7 -Alive Southern Senatorial Forum said the district is billed to produce the next governor of the state in 2023  after Ayade and therefore their support is to enable the governor  complete his eight years tenure and hand over to the district.

“We have supported this government from the start and we cannot abandon it now and with the southern district set to produce the next governor in 2023, we have to do our best to make the transition hitch free”.

Chief Ekpenyong called on the leaders in the district to mobilise voters to vote en-masse for the governor and other contestants without fear as the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, would win without much struggle.

“There is no fear of federal might because we are in charge and nobody can intimidate us; It is only when you do not have support that federal might can work but we have massive support so we have no fear of anybody”.

He said the zoning of the governorship slot is to the entire seven local government areas in the south not only to Efiks and called on people to discountenance any claims that only Efiks will contest in 2023.

The banker turned politician said Senator Ben Ayade has done so much for the district by siting industries like the deep sea port, garment factory, rice seedling plant and others in the area which shows his love for  the south and should therefore be supported.