Group decries marginalisation of Quas in Calabar Municipality

…says Governor Bassey Otu is not an ethnic bigot, he would not make a non-Qua Chairman of Calabar Municipality

…it’s the turn of the Quas to produce Chairman

Calabar Municipality Youth Assembly, a Socio-Cultural/Political Youth Organisation, has decried the marginalisation of the people of Quas in Calabar Municipality Local Government Area of the State.

The group in a statement directed to the Governor and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC of the State, said they knew Governor Bassey Otu is not an ethnic bigot and believed he would make a Qua person the Caretaker or Chairman of Calabar Municipality when necessary.

The statement signed by Ndabo Comrade Patrick Eke, Leader; Lion Comrade Margaret Eso Akabom, Deputy Leader; Comrade Effiong Itu Omin, Secretary; and Mr Oku Eneobong Ita, Publicity Secretary; on Friday, read as follows:

“The Governor of Cross River State Distinguished Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu is a man of integrity, value and understanding, he supports what is right and encourages stability in the polity.

“It has come to our notice that some uninformed, greedy, selfish and desperate people from the non-Qua indigenes are mounting pressure on politically exposed persons to make them Chairman/Mayor of Calabar Municipality even when they know too well that it is the time of the Quas to Produce Chairman/Mayor of Calabar whenever His Excellency deems it fit to conduct Local Government Election in Cross River State.

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“For the benefit of those who are not aware of the existing sharing formula, in Calabar Municipality, zoning is highly respected and honoured. For example, the two Major Positions are shared between the two major Ethnic Groups, Quas and non-Quas. That is to say, when the House of Assembly comes from Qua, the non-Quas would produce the Chairman/Mayor of Calabar.

“As it stands now, a non-Qua in the person of Hon. Stanley Boyce Nsemo is occupying the position of the House of Assembly, representing Calabar Municipal State Constituency, therefore, the Chairman has to be a true Qua son, so as to strike a balance – anything different from the norm would pull a very big danger for the political future of Calabar Municipality and Cross River State at large.

“We wish to also add that apart from the above, the Quas are almost left out in the scheme of things as far as the current political arrangement is concerned in the Southern Senatorial District.

“For Example:

1. The Governor is an Efik man from Odukpani LGA (Though is for everybody).

2. The Senator is an Efik man from Odukpani LGA.

3. The House of Representatives Member representing Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency is an Efik man from Odukpani LGA.

4. The State House of Assembly Member representing Calabar Municipality State Constituency is an Efik man from Ikot Ishie.

5. The outgone Chairman/Mayor of Calabar Municipality was a non-Qua Person.

6. The Honourable Commissioner for Local Government Affairs is a non-Qua person.

7. The Commissioner for Social Welfare and Community Development is a non-Qua person.

8. The Honourable Commissioner for Mineral Resources is a Qua Son.

9. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Marine Service is a non-Qua Son.

10. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter-Party Affairs and Women Mobilisation is a non-Qua person.

“And so many other appointments in Calabar Municipality, therefore, it is pertinent and morally correct for a Qua son to be considered for the Chairmanship of Calabar Municipality – either as Caretaker or as Substantive Chairman of Calabar Municipality – so as to strike a balance as it has always been.

“We trust and know the Governor to be a man of dignity, pedigree and understanding not to allow any selfish, greedy and desperate people to mislead him to push aside a predominantly Quas in Calabar Municipality.

“To this end, we pray God Almighty to continue to keep, bless and direct our beloved Governor to succeed in all his plans for the Good People of Calabar Municipality.”