Senator’s mosque donation stokes controversy in Cross River

A donation by Senator Gershom Bassey towards the building of a mosque in Calabar, Cross River State has stoked controversy with some of his constituents alleging plans to promote Islam in the area.

Notwithstanding, Bassey, who represents Cross River Southern Senatorial District is said to be currently battling to keep his followers despite the innocuous gesture. Some, especially the opposition, who are said to have decided to make a political capital from the gesture to tar his reputation ahead of the 2019 elections, have viewed his action negatively.

However, Bassey, who is the Vice Chairman of Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources, Upstream, has said that he has no ulterior motives other than just a show of his belief in the unity and religious harmony. Senior Legal Adviser to the Senator, Essien Ita, yesterday told newsmen that the gesture was to carry along all the constituents in Cross River South without discrimination. According to him, Bassey had made contributions to different Christian religious denominations in the state and Abuja, and even donated hospital equipment to several health facilities.