The frontline Governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA), CON has promised to among other things, turn Ini local government into a major rice belt through massive cultivation and post-harvest processing to service the local market and exportation.
OBA who addressed his teeming supporters virtually during the second phase of the YPP ward-to-Ward campaign, pledged that the long abandoned Ikpe Ikot Nkon-Arochukwu, Mbiabong Ikot Udofia-Nkari and Obotmme- Ikpanya roads will be constructed by his administration.
He also vowed to collaborate with the federal government to complete the Nkari Dam Project to boost the production of rice and other crops.
The senator said as a son of the Eastern Ibibio Ikono, he will not let his people in Ini down, and urged them to get their PVCs and be ready to vote for him and for other YPP candidates.
“Your voters’s card is your power. Don’t sell it, preserve it for election and vote for me as your governor and for other YPP candidates”, he urged them.
While urging Ini people to vote for her husband, wife of the YPP governorship candidate, Pastor (Mrs.) Nkeiru Imaobong Albert, said OBA will run an all-inclusive government where everyone will be carried along. She also said her husband will, through Operation Basic Amenities (OBA), will ensure that the relevant infrastructure like public schools, water, good roads are intact in Ini.
“YPP has come to liberate and emancipate the people of Ini. Evil thrives; lies persist but can never change to truth. YPP has come to talk to Ini people to support an Eastern Ibibio son. In this election, it is the people that will decide. The present government is a failed government. They have exhibited the character of subjugation to intimidate those who supported them. Now they have come to entice the people with N10,000 to get their votes again. Where did they keep the money since? It is time to say no to imposition. You have to vote those who will be accountable to you. Vote for credibility. This is the time to arise. If you have not gotten your PVC, go and get it to decide who governs you, who will turn your educational sector around, who will not leave the youths and the women behind”, she said.
While stressing the need to maintain justice and equity, the chairman of Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Council, Sir Emem Akpabio, urged the people of Ini to support OBA as a son of the Eastern Ibibio Ikono.
“When it was our turn, you supported us in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District. When it was his turn, you supported him from Eket Senatorial District. This is time for Eastern Ibibio Ikono. OBA is the most qualified; he will give you the best of leadership. If they tell you OBA is not on the ballot, mock them. He is on the ballot, and will win the governorship election. They have been lying to you, where is the rice mill they promised Ini people.l? You need to vote them out”, Sir Akpabio added.
On the importance of collecting their voters’ cards, the chairman of the YPP in Akwa Ibom State, Apostle Nyeneime Andy urged the people to ensure they get theirs to enable them vote for OBA and other YPP candidates.
While setting the tone for the rally, the Director General of campaign, Pastor Sunny Ibuot, who appreciated the support so far enjoyed by the YPP, assured the people that when voted into power, OBA’s administration will embark on massive development of roads and other rural infrastructure in the area. He said the administration will create opportunities for youths through social services and empowerment of women through cooperatives.
Earlier, the chairman of Akwa Ubok Abasi in Ini, AVM Sampson Akpasa rtd, in his welcome remarks, thanked the people for coming out en masse to welcome the campaign team, while urging all to collect their PVCs which will serve as weapon to unseat an ineffective government
Highlights of the rally included defection of PDP members to the YPP. Margaret Udo Ekpo, a ward woman leader of the PDP led more than 500 other PDP members to officially defect to YPP and was received by the state chairman of the YPP, Apostle Andy.