Nyok|21 March 2019
The Honourable Member representating Ogoja State Constituency at the 8th Cross River State House of Assembly and elected on the 9th March during the 2019 general elections to represent the same Constituency at the 9th CRSHA, Mr Peter Odey, has drawn attention to the fact and argument that the respected Office of the Speaker of the CRSHA has never been occupied by a state legislator from the southern senatorial district NEGROIDHAVEN can report authoritatively. Peter has cautioned that the tussle of who occupies the hallowed office of Speaker should be made an open contest, shunning zoning to senatorial districts.
Peter made this assertion yesterday on social media while, with an obvious dose of restraint, reacted to the thread posted by one nietezen and social commentator, namely, Kennedy Nsan who argued in favour of the thesis that the office of Speaker should be domiciled in Central Cross River particularly in Ikom or Boki.
His words, 'I'm trying to resist the temptation not to comment on this post. However, I will add my two cents to it so members of the public will not be mis informed by it.
'First I will say I'm a member of the House of Assembly and will have a vote.
'Secondly, it appears you have a mind set already about who your preferences are and rightfully so.
'My question now is since 1999 the senate position has been in old Ikom. I'm sure you are comfortable with this? Also are you aware that the southern part of the state has nevered produced a Speaker?
'Whilst, I agreed that zonning is convenient in our present political experiments, I will say that the best person for the job should be allowed to gun for it. My colleagues from the central are good, it should be an open contest free of interference.'
There is an ongoing tussle for who replaces outgoing John Gaul Lebo as Speaker of the 9th Assembly, and there is a southern contender in the incumbent Deputy Speaker, Joseph Bassey: https://www.negroidhaven.org/2019/03/trending-wholl-be-speaker-of-9th-criver.html?m=1
Efio-Ita Nyok is the blogger-in-chief, editor-in-chief and publisher of NEGROIDHAVEN
