BAKASSI – The Leader of the 7th Bakassi Legislative Assembly, Rt. Hon. Grace Bassey, has warned residents against physical and verbal abuse between spouses, saying the Gender-Based Violence Prohibition Law debated and passed by her Assembly applies to both men and women NEGROIDHAVEN can report.
Bassey, who represents Ward 7 in the Bakassi Legislative Assembly, stated this while speaking to constituents during a livelihood support programme held at the All Progressives Congress Secretariat in Ikot Nkoho Nnie on Thursday.
She said gender-based violence should not be viewed solely as violence perpetrated by men against women, stressing that women who physically or verbally abuse their partners could also be held accountable under the law.
According to her, acts such as slapping, beating or using abusive words against a spouse or partner are unacceptable, regardless of the gender of the perpetrator.
“When we talk about gender-based violence, it is not only committed by men. Some women also engage in physical violence, such as slapping or beating men, and this is equally wrong,” she said.
Bassey also drew attention to verbal abuse, noting that certain words directed at another person could cause damage that was as serious as physical violence.
“There are also words that can be used against a person that can be more damaging than physical abuse. Such actions are unacceptable, and anyone found guilty will be held accountable under the law,” she added.
The council leader explained that the objective of the legislation was not simply to arrest offenders, but to promote responsible behaviour and contribute to the wellbeing of the community.
She urged residents to understand their responsibilities under the law and avoid actions that could undermine peaceful relationships within families and the wider community.
Bassey also highlighted another legislative intervention relating to scholarships, saying the bill-awaiting executive assent was intended to help children gain access to education.
She noted that while legislators were responsible for making laws, their implementation rested with the Chairman of the Local Government Council.
The remarks came during a livelihood support programme organised by Bassey for constituents and party members drawn from the 10 wards of Bakassi Local Government Area.
The programme featured the distribution of cooking gas cylinders, farming tools, food items and varying amounts of cash to beneficiaries.
Bassey described the intervention as livelihood support rather than empowerment, saying it was intended to assist constituents while encouraging peace and unity.
“It may be little, but I urge everyone to receive it with peace and love. It may not get to everyone today, but I believe better days are ahead,” she said.
The Cross River State APC Youth Leader, Hon. Maurice Ase, commended Bassey for the initiative, describing it as an uncommon form of grassroots engagement.
Ase said political leaders should be assessed based on what they do for their constituents rather than their place of residence, adding that Bassey’s intervention demonstrated commitment to her people.
The Special Assistant on Public Orientation to Governor Bassey Otu, Antan Okor, also commended the council leader, saying her support extended beyond Ward 7 to other parts of Bakassi, including Ward 4.
He urged residents to remain committed to the APC and expressed optimism that additional government programmes would benefit the people of the area.
