COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF A MEETING BETWEEN THE SOUTHERN AND NORTHERN SENATORIAL DISTRICTS LEADERS OF THOUGHT, ON THE 2ND DAY OF MARCH, 2023.
INTRODUCTION
At the request of the leaders of the Southern Senatorial District, a meeting of the leaders of thought from the Southern and Northern Senatorial Districts was convoked at the country home of High Chief Higgins Peters at Okpoma in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State on the 2nd day of March, 2023.
Discussions were frank, friendly, and brotherly.
The meeting traced the history of the relationship between the people of the Southern Senatorial District and the people of the Northern Senatorial District that culminated in the Calabar – Ogoja accord of 1980 before the creation of the Cross River State.
Speaker after speaker agreed that the accord between the two peoples was aimed at peaceful coexistence between the two brothers/sisters and that the day’s meeting was merely a continuation of what was started many years ago by our forefathers.
Consequently, the meeting reaffirmed their absolute faith in the accord and more particularly the resolutions contained in the Communique from its meeting of 10th November 2018, and resolved, affirmed, and further agreed as follows:
Etubom (Arc.) Bassey Ndem leads Cross River Southern Delegation to Cross River Central Senatorial District ahead of the 2023 gubernatorial election in the state. pic.twitter.com/mhMWyTJQ7M
— NEGROID HAVEN (@NegroidHaven) March 14, 2023
1) That the office of the Governor of Cross River State shall rotate sequentially between the three constituent senatorial districts of the South, Central, and North for equity, brotherliness, justice, and accommodation.
2) That at the advent of democracy in 1999, the Southern Senatorial District had the first two terms of 8 years, led by HE Mr Donald Duke. This was followed by the Central Senatorial District’s term of 8 years, led by HE Senator Liyel Imoke. Subsequently, the Northern Senatorial District is coming to the end of its 8-year term, led by HE Sen. Prof Ben Ayade, KSJ, CON. That it is only fair, just, and equitable that the office of Governor should return to the South in the 2023 general elections, and continue to move sequentially thereafter.
3) That the Northern Senatorial District will work with the South to ensure that the office of Governor returns to the South in the 2023 Governorship election year and there shall be reciprocal support from the South when next it is the turn of the office of Governor to go to the Northern Senatorial District.
4) That the leaders of Southern and Northern Senatorial Districts will do all that may be required to take along the youths of the senatorial districts in order to uphold the principles of equity, justice and accommodation, ensure continuity, and bridge any gap between the Leaders.
5) The meeting also resolved that the interface/interaction between the Senatorial Districts should
not be a one-off meeting but a continuous engagement, even after the elections, to serve as a think tank and an advisory group to the government.
Signed- FOR THE SOUTHERN SENATORIAL DISTRICT
1) Etubom (Arc.) Bassey Eyo Ndem – Coordinator
2) Ntufam John Achort Okon
3) His Excellency (Amb.) Dr. Nya Asuquo
4) Hon. Sylvester Nsa
5) Chief Hon. Edwin Usang
6) Mr. Bassey Essien Koofreh, mni
7) High Chief Prof. Eyo Etim Nyong
8) Chief Hon. Ani Eric Esin
9) Ntufam Dr. Richard Effa
10)Prof Francisca Bassey
11) Chief Dr. Grace Akpanika
12) Rt. Hon. George Oben-Etchi, Ph.D.
13) Mrs. Mary P. Messembe
14) Mrs. Winifred Oyo Ita
15) Engr. Ekpe Essien Ita
16) Chief Barr. Ene Cobham
17) Chief Engr. Patrick Antigha Ene
18) Mrs. Rosemary Achibong, Esq
19) Barr. Emmanuel Usang
20) Eti-Eka Barr. Mrs Maria Ukpanyang
21) Mr. Joseph Effiom-Edem Ntibi, Ph.D, mni
22) Chief Bassey Effiong Okon
23) Senator Bassey Ewa Henshaw (Goodwill Message)
24)Ntufam Eyo Nsa Whiley
25)Senator Patrick Ani (Goodwill Message)
Signed- FOR THE NORTHERN SENATORIAL DISTRICT
1. Ntufam Fidelis Ugbo – Coordinator
2. High Chief Higgins Peters
3. Elder P. J. Ekunke
4. Hon. Signor Omang Idiege (The Ada Bekwarra II)
5. Rt. Hon Gabe Edi
6. Chief (Barr) Linus Etalong Adie
7. Ukani James Alicha Okpamu
8. High Chief Dr. Tony Undiandeye
9. Rt. Hon Omor Egbeji
10. Dr. Clement Ushaka
11. Hon. Onoh John Ulafor
12. Mr. Hubert Obule Ogar
13. Rt. Hon. Paddy Uguge
14. Chief Sylvanus Idam
15. Mrs Catherine Agba-Ajibike
16. Chief Hon. Mrs Theresa Ezama
17. Hon. Maurice Wayas Evey
18. Chief Dr. Sunny Ayang
19. Mr. Alina Victor Abebe
20. Arc. Dr. Francis Damachi
21. Dr. Greg Aji Arikpa
22. Prof Augustine Ogogo
23. Chief Dr. Akpeh Edung Ogon
24. Dr. Okweche Dominic Odey
25. Chief Joseph Ijoko
26. Mrs Philomina E. Ihieje
27. Hon John W. Oko
28. Hon. Christopher Eriba
29. Hon FMD Okem
YOUTH AND OBSERVERS FROM THE SOUTHERN SENATORIAL DISTRICT
1. Mr. Eric Iso Anderson
2. Arc. Victor Edet Okon
3. Mr. Bassey Bassey Nton
4. Mr. Edet Ekpenyong Edet
5. Mr. Stanley Nsa Eyamba
6. Mr Edem Okokon Effiom
7. Mr. Victor Ekpo Abasi
8. Mr. Great Ogban Usetu
9. Mr. Joseph Edet Esor
10. Mr. Charles Offiong Obo
11. Mr Efio-Ita Nyok
12. Mr Andrea Ekeng Inyang
13. Mr Nsa Ekeng
