Bassey Gershom Henry
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Bassey Gershom Henry is a Nigerian politician. They have contested 1 election (1 win) across 1 party. Most recent: 2019 Senate Elections as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate.
Political Career
Biography
Senator Chief Gershom Henry Bassey, born on 18 March 1962 in Lagos, Nigeria, is a prominent Nigerian politician and businessman. He represents the Cross River South Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate and has served in the 8th and 9th National Assembly.
He comes from Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State. Bassey is married to Chioma Gershom-Bassey and has five children. His early education included primary school at Corona School Apapa, Lagos, followed by studies at Federal Government College, Sokoto, where he obtained his West African School Certificate in 1977.
In 1979, he earned an A-Level certificate from Greylands College, Isles of Wight, UK. He pursued higher education in Engineering Production and Economics at the University of Wales, Cardiff, graduating with a first-class BSc in 1984. He later earned an MSc in Construction Management from Brunel University London with distinction in 1986.
Bassey holds fellowships and awards, including membership of the Nigerian Institute of Civil Engineers (NICE) and recognition from the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE). He was the CEO of Lilleker Nigeria from 1999 to 2010 and Chairman of the Cross River State Water Board from 1999 to 2015.
His political career began when he ran for the Senate for the Cross River South Senatorial District in 2015. He was sworn into the 8th Nigerian Senate on 9 June 2015 and re-elected for the 9th Senate on 11 June 2019. He is ranked among the top senators in Nigeria.
Known for his significant wealth, estimated at around $30 million, Bassey has held key positions such as Chairman of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA). He also served as Vice Chairman of the Senate committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream).
During the 2019 PDP primaries, Bassey faced opposition, including a confrontation with Ntufam Ekpo Okon, which led to a delay in the primaries and later disqualification of Okon. Bassey emerged victorious in the election.
As a senator, he sponsored several bills, including those aimed at establishing correctional centers, a federal college of forestry technology, and amendments to criminal justice and other laws. He has also championed bills for infrastructure projects and research institutions.
Party Positions
Policy positions from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)'s manifesto.
Anti-corruption
PDP commits to strengthening anti-corruption institutions (EFCC & ICPC) and enforcing transparency reforms, including asset declaration laws and removal of immunity clauses for public officials.
Education
Ensure free education up to Junior Secondary School (JSS1) level and commit to revamping tertiary education.
Energy
PDP pledges to eliminate gas flaring, enforce air pollution regulations, complete deregulation of downstream petroleum sector, and lay gas pipelines nationwide for industrial use.
Environment & Climate
Commits to reclaiming and rehabilitating land devastated by desertification and soil erosion through afforestation in affected areas.
Healthcare
Provide free medical services for pregnant women and children under five years, rehabilitate health facilities in each LGA, and support local production of essential drugs.
Infrastructure
Accelerate the completion of key rail projects, including standard gauge rail lines between Lagos and Kano (Phase 1) and Port Harcourt to Jos (Phase 2), by privatizing or concessioning the Nigerian Railway Corporation to private operators.
Reliefs and scholarships
Introduce a service compact (SERVICOM) aimed at improving governance through enhanced engagement with the public sector.
Security & Defense
PDP plans to refine recruitment methods, retrain personnel, improve logistics, and strengthen early warning systems for police reform.
Technology & Digital
Will establish internet/computer learning centers in all LGAs, provide computers for secondary schools, and enforce local content policy for telecom equipment.
Follow the 2027 race
Who declares, who drops out, who switches party: sourced, not speculation.