Former Senator Gershom Bassey has provided a damning analysis of the internal failures that led to the Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) catastrophic loss in Cross River State during the 2023 general elections. The lawmaker, who represented Cross River South in the 8th and 9th National Assembly, attributed the party's downfall to a culture of impunity and a fatal breach of the established zoning principle.
The Fatal Mistake: Abandoning Zoning and Public Sentiment
In a candid assessment, Bassey described the PDP's performance in the 2023 polls as a "bittersweet" experience. The bitter pill was the near-total wipeout of the party in a state it once dominated. The PDP lost the governorship, the deputy governorship, all three Senate seats, most House of Representatives seats, and 22 out of 25 seats in the State House of Assembly.
He traced the party's historical strength to its traditional respect for arrangements and its ability to listen to the people at all levels. However, in the lead-up to the 2023 elections, the party became "arrogant" and assumed it was "too big to fail." Despite a widespread consensus across Cross River that it was the turn of the Southern senatorial district to produce the governor, the PDP ignored this sentiment and insisted its ticket could come from any zone.
"The people of Cross River State were clear that power should rotate and that it was the turn of the South," Bassey stated. "By abandoning the very principle that guaranteed its success for years, the PDP set itself up for failure and lost woefully." He noted that even the PDP's gubernatorial candidate lost his own local government area.
The Sweet Victory of Principle and the Future of Opposition
The sweet aspect, according to Bassey, was that the electorate's decision powerfully reaffirmed the state's founding principle of rotational governance, as encapsulated in the Calabar–Ogoja Accord. The victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which respected the zoning formula, demonstrated that the people valued this principle above blind party loyalty.
On the national stage, Bassey expressed concern but not alarm over defections potentially leading to a one-party system. He emphasized his belief in multi-party democracy and cited President Bola Tinubu's principled stance in 2003 as a model. When the entire South-West geopolitical zone defected to the PDP, Tinubu remained in his party, defending Lagos State. "That consistency and commitment to principle are things I deeply respect about him," Bassey said, adding that he is emulating that stance amidst defection rumours.
Regarding his own political moves, Bassey clarified that he remains a PDP member but sympathizes with a broader coalition movement. He dismissed speculations about defecting to the APC or the African Democratic Congress (ADC), stressing that any successful coalition must undergo "internal cleansing" and ensure "square pegs are in square holes."
Assessment of Tinubu's Government and Policy Advice
Bassey offered a critical yet measured review of the current federal administration. He acknowledged the widespread suffering caused by current economic policies but cautioned against a "halftime" judgment of the government.
He was, however, direct in his critique of the fuel subsidy removal, describing it as "rushed." "If subsidy removal was inevitable, it should have been gradual and preceded by strong infrastructure, improved security and effective social safety nets," he argued. He advised the government that a policy U-turn is not a sign of failure if the original policy is not delivering results for citizens.
On the controversial tax reforms, Bassey advocated for a broad tax base over high taxation. "Blocking all tax loopholes without first providing basic services such as electricity, water and security can suffocate citizens," he warned, urging the government to allow people "room to breathe."
Electoral Reforms and the State of the PDP
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Bassey called for urgent amendments to the Electoral Act. He identified two critical areas: the need to codify the electronic transmission of results clearly into law to prevent the technical failures witnessed in 2023, and correcting the anomaly that excluded automatic delegates from party primaries.
Nearly three years after its devastating loss, Bassey described the PDP in Cross River as a shadow of its former self, having entered a "phase of self-destruction." "Many serious people have left the party. What remains today is only a shadow of what it once was," he lamented. Despite this, he believes every party has a future and that the PDP will evolve, though the direction remains unclear.
When asked about his political future and a potential governorship contest, Bassey said such talk was mere speculation, confirming he is not currently considering running for elective office in 2027.
Finally, in assessing Governor Bassey Otu's administration, he noted improvements in security and infrastructure but advised leaders to view criticism as a tool for growth. "Turning critics into enemies is counterproductive. Constructive criticism strengthens governance," he concluded.
