Ofonime Honesty, Uyo
Stakeholders in the Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District have affirmed their support for Senator Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA), as the candidate to vote for in the forthcoming governorship election slated for Saturday, March 18, 2023.
At a solidarity meeting held on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at Majesty Realm Hotel, Uyo, the stakeholders, comprised of elders, political chieftains, women and youths, said the decision to formally endorse Senator Albert, who is the gubernatorial candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), was based on equity, justice, competence and character.
Speaking on behalf of the people, Mr Udo Darby – Uyo Federal Constituency; Archbishop Andrew Uwanta – Etinan Federal Constituency and ACP Udoma Ekpenyong (rtd.) Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency, all extolled the capacity of Senator Albert to govern and bring about the desired massive transformation in the state.
Darby said Akpan is a household name in the state because of his good life of impacting the lives of people through scholarship, empowerment and development.
In giving thumbs up for his endorsement, the elder statesman said Senator Albert will surely bring joy to the people when he is elected as the governor.
In his speech, Archbishop Unwanta said under the principle of rotation in the senatorial district, it is squarely the turn of Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency to field a candidate for the 2023 governorship, as both Uyo and Etinan Federal Constituencies have had their turns through Obong Akpan Isemin and Arc Obong Victor Attah.
He said Senator Albert’s candidacy is the best for the state and urged the people not to be deceived by the antics of government but to vote overwhelmingly for his emergence as the next Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
Also, Mr Ekpenyong, a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police said having known Senator Albert for over 15 years, he can authoritatively say that his governance of Akwa Ibom will be transformational.
He thanked Akpan for his laudable antecedents and effective representation of the Uyo Senatorial District and urged him not to relent.
In a tone-setting, Mr Samuel Effanga said the Stakeholders decided to meet with Senator Akpan so as to officially affirm their support for his governorship aspiration.
Effanga, a former Commissioner in the State Executive Council, said the Senatorial District took into consideration OBA’s service records and agreed that he is the most suitable among other candidates to govern the state at this time.
In his response, Senator Akpan expressed appreciation to the stakeholders of Uyo Senatorial District for adopting him as their preferred candidate for the governorship election.
He assured that the social contract he has entered is to enthrone a people-centred administration that will ensure massive participation of the people in the policies and programmes of his administration.
“A vote for YPP is a vote for OBA and State House Members. A vote for OBA is for Operation Basic Amenities in Akwa Ibom State. We are coming up with a blueprint that will change the narratives of the development of Akwa Ibom State.
“We will involve people in the governance of the state. We will not marginalize any section of the state but will ensure unity, love and prosperity for the people.
“A vote for YPP will bring to an end the cries of retirees and next of kin of primary school teachers as we will pay pension and gratuities,” he said amidst applauses.
Assuring that a vote for YPP will bring about the eradication of poverty, the governorship candidate, who is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North East, thundered that “a better Akwa Ibom is coming” once elected as the governor.
He called on the people not to be deceived by the recent desperate efforts by the Udom Emmanuel-led administration to lure the people with financial inducements to get their votes.
Akpan urged the stakeholders to be resolute in their stand to support and vote for him at the poll as well as being vigilant during the election to avoid any manipulation of BVAS or figures by any official.
In the entourage of the governorship candidate were Sir Emem Akpabio, Chairman of Akwa UbokAbasi Campaign Council, Pastor Sunny Ibuot, Director General of Akwa UbokAbasi Campaign Movement, Mkpisong Ephraim Inyang-eyen, Barr Usenobong Akpabio, Obong Daniel Udoh, Atai Albert and others.