A socio-political group in Cross River, the Southern Solidarity Front, has called on indigenes and residents to support the southern region of the state to produce the next governor in 2023.

The convener of the group and the Commissioner for Solid Minerals in Cross River, George O’ben-Etchi, said on Sunday in Calabar that power rotation had led to the peaceful co-existence of the diverse peculiarity of the people.

Mr. O’ben-Etchi explained, “Cross River over the years has enjoyed relative political stability and peaceful co-existence 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 in the senatorial districts has brought about even, equitable, and sustainable development and has helped to avoid rancour, political tension, and heating up of the system in the state,” he stated.

Mr. O’ben-Etchi explained that the two previous governors of Cross River, Donald Duke, and Sen. Liyel Imoke, were zoning products in the Fourth Republic. The present governor, Ben Ayade, was also a product of zoning.

He added, “It is for this reason that Gov. Ayade has made it clear in several fora 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, cannot 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 tranquillity 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.

“In addition, we strongly urge other serious political parties in the state also to zone their governorship ticket for 2023 to the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River for equity and fairness,” he added.

(NAN)