By SUNDAY FRANK
Against what many political pundits describe as “uncommon politicking” in Akwa Ibom State, two governorship hopeful ; Obong Akan Udofia and Obong Bassey Albert, OBA, on Saturday 19th March, met and briefly greeted each other at Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign office in Uyo.
Our correspondent gathered that Obong Akan Udofia, while passing by OBA’s campaign office at Four Lane, disembarked from his car to greet his long time friend who is in the same race for the Hilltop mansion.
Akan Udofia’s action has attracted plaudits and commendations from Akwa Ibomites who believe politics should not be seen as war even when there is disagreement.
An eye witness account has it that some persons who saw Akan Udofia in OBA’s campaign office were overwhelmed with surprise and joy to have two aspirants contesting for a particular seat of power exchanging pleasantries.
Obong Bassey Albert and Akan Udofia discussing with each other at OBA’s campaign office
Speaking, Ekene Ikpe, one of the youth leaders from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District who followed OBA’s campaign team to Uyo after a reception organized for OBA in Ikot Ekpene, said with the likes of OBA and Akan Udofia on the saddle of leadership, Akwa will explode into prosperity.
“By Akan Udofia’s action today, politics has been redefined in Akwa Ibom State. If any of these men gets into office, our state will flourish”. The youth leader said.
It can be recalled that in November 2021, Akan Udofia while arriving Visitor Attah International Airport from Dubai where he accompanied Governor Udom Emmanuel to sign an agreement with Airbus , had described Obong Bassey Albert as his good friend when asked by a journalist whether he was surprised at OBA’s decision to join the governorship race.
Akan Udofia, a renowned business mogul who premises his governorship ambition on the mantra of “prosperity for all”, has a large command of support base within and outside Akwa Ibom State.
Apart from Pastor Umo Eno who is supported by government, Akan Udofia is said to be the only aspirant with political and financial war chests to swing the tide in the forth coming delegates election.
