by crossriverwatch admin
The much awaited gubernatorial declaration of the senator representing Cross River Southern Senatorial district, Senator Bassey Otu was formally put to rest on Saturday in Calabar with the Senator declaring his support for the position of the ruling PDP which zoned the seat to the Northern Senatorial District .
Otu who is thought to enjoy grassroots support from the seven local government areas in the Southern Senatorial district and beyond stood against his party’s position for his senatorial ticket in 2011 and emerged victorious, a development he said made him to be persecuted by chieftains of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party after his emergence as Senator.
For close to a year Otu has not been seen in the State Party events and analysts have attributed the development to his non acceptance of the party leaders.
A source close to the Senator had before now hinted CrossRiverWatch that should PDP over victimize their leader, he may have no option than to contest the governorship election in 2015 against the zoning arrangement of the party.
Senator Otu however denied this position canvassed by his followers on Saturday. He said “I am not contesting for the position of the governor of Cross River State, I align myself with the position of my party on Northern Agenda, so count me out.
“My decision is to go back to the Senate so that I will continue to render service to the people of my senatorial district, that is my decision.”
The Senator who was returning to Calabar after a long period of absence occasioned by ill health and other personal reasons, was welcomed by a motorcade of hundreds of supporters who turned the arrival wing of the Margaret Ekpo International Airport to a carnival of sort.
He allayed fears that his party may deny him a return ticket saying: “you can see the support from my people by yourself, its about the people and not personality, that has always been the reason why I am being persecuted by those who believe in personality. I’m with my people and I can tell you I’m going back to the Senate.
“You asked if my party refuses to give me the ticket? Let me tell you the people will decide and as a matter of fact, the party has given us automatic ticket to re-contest but you know me I believe in contest and I believe when we get there,we will see”.
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