For many following Akwa Ibom’s political development since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) blew whistle for the take-off of the 2023 election campaigns, the ongoing massive endorsement enjoyed by the Governorship candidate of Young Progressives Party (YPP) Obong Bassey Albert (OBA), did not come as a surprise.
However, many political pundits have described the huge support given to the fastest growing party as unprecedented in Akwa Ibom’s political history in recent times.
The lastest endorsement came from Senator Godswill Akpabio’s hometown, Essien Udim Local Government Area, where the Traditional Rulers’ Council openly declared that the Governorship candidate of the YPP, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, CON, will be the next governor of Akwa Ibom State.
This happened on November 26, 2022, when OBA stopped over at the palace of the paramount ruler, His Eminence, Cosmas Okon Akpan, to pay homage before proceeding to campaign in Afaha, Ekpenyong, Adiasim and Ikpe wards.
The TRC, through the clan-head of Afaha, Obong Augustine Akpan, complained that he and the entire Essien Udim people have been abandoned by the present administration, and pleaded with OBA not to continue in that direction, as governor.
“You are the next governor. God will see you through. Our people will support you. Please don’t forget us, don’t forget our children who are supporting you”, they said, describing OBA as their only hope.
They made a case for the construction of deplorable roads in Essien Udim Local Government Area and appealed to Senator Bassey Albert to look into it when he takes over the governance of the state.
“If not for Akpabio, there would not have been any road leading to the palace of the Paramount Ruler. The road leading to Odoro – Ikot is very bad, just like the one leading to Afaha is not motorable. Akpabio gave us cars and since he left, we can’t even repair the cars. When you assume office, give us new cars. We need roads, we need basic amenities. We will support you”, they appealed.
OBA, at the campaign ground, promised that Essien Udim Local Government will enjoy massive roads infrastructure, once the Young Progressives Party (YPP) forms the next government in the state from next year. Some of them are to be completed within 100 days in office.
They include the construction of the road linking the LG Secretariat – Nrua Nkokoro – Urua Akpan to Urua Ebom as well as Ikpe – Obo Annang Junction Road, which the present administration promised but never fulfilled.
“We are not campaigning in Essien Udim. Our victory here is 100% sure. It was Essien Udim son that God used to uplift me. Dear women, my government will empower all of you. Every village has women associations. We will group you into cooperatives and empower you with funds to do businesses. Your life must change”, he assured them.
To create more businesses and jobs, the legendary Obo Annang Market is to be converted into an International Market, while raffia palm nurseries will be etablished. Equally, a technical audit of the palm oil mill at Ukana Uwa is to be carried out for reactivation, upon OBA’s resumption of office.
While the General Hospital in Ikpe Annang as well as other health facilities will be rehabilitated to ensure provision of essential healthcare, there will also be massive renovation of public schools to ensure free and qualitative education for the young ones.
To the youths, he assured them of improved living, promising to better their welfare by creating opportunities via social services.
“It is because of the youths that they are fighting me. They know that when I come I will open the eyes of the youths. I will improve your lives. The government of YPP will be government of the people”, he said.
Having been pre-briefed of the the infrastructural needs of Essien Udim people, the senator declared that as a show of gratitude for God using their son to project him into politics and governance, all their requests will be granted.
OBA then condemned the claims by Gov. Udom Emmanuel that he has been using his personal property and funds to secure loans for the state.
“It is only in Akwa Ibom that someone claims that he is using his money to obtain loans to pay salaries to civil servants. Can one person cook for the whole village? I’m asking him to bring the money that was paid as revealed by Governor Nyesom Wike and he went and wrote a long essay”, said.
He also criticised the claim that the recently inaugurated planes for Ibom Air were bought from the controversial 13% derivation arrears refunds. OBA said the same way the two earlier planes were returned the Egypt Air, the real owner, is the way the latest ones would be returned to Getjet Airlines, after one year, because they are on wet-lease.
“After Governor Wike revealed that our funds have been paid to the government, and we have been asking for our money, they went to bring those planes. After one year, they will be returned to their owners. Ask them to show you where in the budget that the plane is captured”, OBA further revealed.
Responding to the claim by the PDP governorship candidate, Umo Eno, that OBA has not built a house for his village-head, the senator said that is not a qualification to contest governorship but possession of the basic valid secondary school qualifications.
He challenged Eno to list the names of those he has ever given scholarship, just as he, OBA, has done with the 481 Akwa Ibom students he has sponsored through the universities.
Cautioning Eno to concentrate on telling the people what he might do for them instead of continuity of lies, OBA also said “the least qualified” is anointed by one human being like him, while he (OBA) is supported by God and the masses.
While introducing OBA, the Chairman of Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Council, Sir Emem Akpabio, assured his people that the current neglect of Essien Udim people by the state government will be over with Senator Bassey Albert Akpan.
“Today your son came to meet you. Today we are not here to campaign, but we will tell you one thing: We brought them and we will sack them. Soon, they will come. Ask them what they have done for you. For the past seven years after our son brought them, they refuse to give you jobs, saying that Essien Udim’s time has passed. Now, they are talking about continuity, when they tell you that again, ask them to show you where they have built one kilometer of road. They are using cane to flog you, now they are trying to bring scorpion. God will not allow them”, hedeclared.
He told them in 2023, OBA remains their only hope. “I want to assure you, help has come. He who will wipe your tears is here. The hunger that is here, will be history with Senator Bassey Albert”.
Apostle Nyeneime Andy, chairman of YPP in Akwa Ibom State, who sensitosed the people on how to vote for YPP, said that the party expects massive votes from Essien Udim because of the love they have shown its candidates.
While setting the tone, the Director General of Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Council, Pastor Sunny Ibuot, who said since Essien Udim people are lovers of good things, OBA, just like his boss, Chief Godswill Akpabio, will make them proud.
