Akwa Ibom 2023: ‘We must not go down like them’_ OBA campaign organization

Chief Usoro I Usoro the spokesman for Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign organization, a political communication platform of Senator Bassey Albert Akpan has appealed to its teeming supporters and followers of the frontline aspirant for the gubernatorial race to refrain from joining issues with persons or groups of persons who are groping for non-existing issues to attack his principal.

The reason for this admonition may not be unconnected to the recent misfired attack on the person of Obong Bassey Albert (OBA) by a supposed ‘anointed’ Senatorial aspirant for Uyo Senatorial District.

Reminiscing the episode, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey the Akwa Ibom House Speaker was on political consultation with the people of Itu/Ibiono Federal Constituency recently. The insignia of a certain governorship aspirant was visible in his regalia. His host who deemed his appearance inappropriate asked him to remove the cap before addressing the delegates.

Against this backdrop, the Campaign organisation of OBA while describing the attack on Senator Akpan who was neither at the said meeting nor aware of it as an “aggrieved person’s outburst” reasoned that instead of this smearing campaign against his person, their narrative should situate the appropriate context of the issue.

“It was not necessary, we in Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Organisation are decent and civilised people who recognise individuals’ rights to choice and conscience.

“We must not behave like the desperate agents of the opposition, who do not only intimidate our supporters but attack them physically, some to a fatal end.

“We also condemn the unnecessary linking of the incident to our Principal, Senator(Obong) Bassey Akpan (OBA) by agents of mischief and distortion.

“Those interested in objective reasoning would recall that long before now, OBA had warned his core supporters not to insult anyone or return attack for attack, even in situations of subtle provocation.

“On February 5, 2022, when OBA consulted his people in Ibiono, he specifically urged them to open their doors to receive all the aspirants, without discrimination.

“It would then be an act of mischief, powered by the ongoing bile against OBA, occasioned by his ever-rising acceptability, to try linking the Speaker’s incident to our leading aspirant.

“Even when we are aware that some of our core supporters have been brutalised in recent times, we must not go low like them. Always remember, like Michelle Obama once said: “When they go low, we go high!”

“Recently, one of our supporters, Udeme Eshiet, was ordered to leave Eket Local Government Secretariat for wearing OBA’s cap. According to him, the Secretary of the Council clearly told him that: “The Council is restricted for persons with this (OBA) cap, there is a directive that nobody should wear another aspirant’s cap or T-shirt into this Council. Support your aspirant in your house and don’t bring it here”.

“We wonder if such utterances from an officer of government depict the peace that is supposed to be “maintained” in our dear state, a core mantra of government for that matter!

“Such open confrontation must be condemned my every right-minded person. Our Principal and our organisation abhor incivility, crude behaviour and violence. Our supporters must not emulate our desperate opponents’ negative antics.

“Despite deliberate twisting and manipulation, Akwa Ibom people are enlightened and fair-minded enough to know who they want to be their next governor. Above all, that Same God (of yesterday) has the final say in it all”.