Southern Community Leaders Condemn Attack On Senator Gershom Bassey
Outrage grew among community leaders within the Calabar metropolis over the barbaric attack on Senator Gershom Bassey’s private residence and his family house by hoodlums and arsonists under the guise of the #Endsars movement to loot, vandalize and raze the family house of Late Chief Gershom Henry Bassey (Snr.). The Southern community leaders condemned and disowned the perpetrators assuring that community driving effort will be emulated to recover all looted properties. They so reaffirmed their solidarity and support for Sen. Gershom Bassey today, tomorrow and forever.
Other community leaders who added their voice stated that the reprehensible act was carried out by those who are threatened by Sen. Gershom Bassey's personality and those who felt he will be demoralised and cowed out of leadership. They noted that their plans have failed because Sen. Gershom Bassey is stronger, equal to the task and now twice as tall.
Among those who spoke on behalf of other community leaders during the meeting were Chief Edem Bassey of Ikot Nsisuk; Chief Ekpeyong Efiok Youth leader of Ikot Uduak; Chief Alex Effiom, Village Head of Akai Effa; Chief Asibong Ekeng Ita of Ediba; Chief Ansa Ekpo Akabom of Ikot Eyo; Chief Samuel Ekanem of West Side Ediba; and Chief John Okon Effiong of Orok Street, who all condemned the attack and pleaded with the perpetrators and their allies to return the looted properties and also called on the residents to never again allow strange fellows to instigate them to violence.
The village head of Akai Efa, Chief Alex Effiom, said the attack and assault on their son who is one of the strong pillars of Efik Kingdom and Cross River state, and the only one standing, is uncalled for, unprovoked and can not be justified under any guise. He said, he has sent a town crier to inform perpetrators to return all the items and he must ensure all items looted are returned. The Youth Leader, Ikot Uduak, Chief Ekpeyong Effiok called on Distinguished Senator Gershom Bassey to forgive the perpetrators for the attack and described it as reprehensible and sacrilegious to his personality, a High Chief in Efik land known as Obong Ekpe also urged all Efik sons and daughters to condemn the attack as those executing the arson are not true children of the land.
Condemning the attack the Chief of Ikot Eyo, Chief Ansa Ekpo Akabom, said Ikot Eyo and it's environs will do everything possible including a house to house search to recover all looted properties of the Senator and also identify those who were involved in the despicable act. Also condemning the attack, the Ediba Youth leader, Chief Asibong Ekeng Ita, expressed shock over the looting, vandalization and razing of the family house of Late Chief Gershom Henry Bassey (Snr.). He said it was late for him and others to mobilize the community to repel the attack since it took the community unawares, and the violence was against the good image of the Senator and the traditional norm of the people. He urged the youth to respect leaders and that the only way to be prosperous is to embrace dialogue, peace and unity.
The Chief of Ikot Nsisuk, Chief Edem Bassey lent his voice to plead with the Senator to forgive all the perpetrators whilst demanding that those involved must return all the properties. He condemned the attack and urged all right thinking residents of the state to do same, adding that the aggressive assault was an affront to the image of Cross River State which is synonymous with peace and serenity. According to the leader, Sen. Gershom Bassey is greatly loved by his people and they all have great respect for the Senator. He emphasized the fact that the insane act was carried out by strangers and not members of the community. He further stated that it is unthinkable for the community to loot Sen. Gershom Bassey who has been good and a great pillar to the community.
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