[1] He followed a journalism career which saw him working in several parts of the country for organizations like the Nigerian Chronicle, The Punch, Newbreed magazine and The Call.
A socialist, in February 1989 he was head of the Directorate for Literacy and at about the same period he moved from crypto-politics to actual participation when he contested and won the elections for chairmanship of calabar Municipal council.
[4] He was also a kingmaker in the Efik Kingdom, and on 31 August 1991 he crowned Edidem Nta Elijah Henshaw VI as the Obong of Calabar in controversial circumstances.
In response, the Cross River House of Assembly resolved to withdraw his certificate of recognition as a chief which they had no authority to do.
[7] Henshaw refused to accept the decision, and cast doubts on Bassey's credibility on the basis that he represented a community in Akwa Ibom state whose ruling house no longer existed.