Ikot Ekpene youths purchase governorship form for Sen. Akpan

Youths from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District on Saturday, March 19 presented the money for the purchase of governorship form for Senator Bassey Albert Akpan aka OBA.

Presenting an N21 million cheque to the leading aspirant at a reception rally in Ikot Ekpene, Sir Emem Akpabio| on behalf of the youths, expressed the confidence that OBA remains the best option to actualise the new vision for Akwa Ibom State.

Akpabio who was the chairman of the occasion corroborating said Senator Akpan did not go to the Senate to represent Uyo Senatorial District alone but the entire Akwa Ibom, adding that, when OBA was the chairman of Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour project under Governor Godswill Akpabio, Ikot Ekpene people felt his impact.

According to him, not many aspirants could walk through Ikot Ekpene Plaza with the people the way OBA did, adding that, the youths were in his support because they believe he will be a good governor.

Akpabio decried the double standard by those arguing that there is no micro-zoning when it comes to the governorship, but in Ikot Ekpene senatorial contest, Abak struggle to produce the next senator, in complete disregard to the zone favoured by the zoning.

He said “the man who does not know you today will not know you tomorrow”, arguing that OBA will always remember them because he knew them long ago.

Setting the tone, Mr Uduak Isobara, the chairman of the planning committee, said OBA knows most people by name, understands their problems, and has the solutions for them.

While addressing the youths, OBA charged them to take their destinies into their hands by making the right decision in choosing him as governor in 2023.

He described his aspiration as a movement to emancipate the youths from poverty, hardship, and unemployment.

Inexperience, capacity, and competence that towers above all the other aspirants, submitting that having done it as a commissioner and Senator, he will do more as a governor.

He said from Oruk Anam to Ukanafun and other areas rich in oil palm, his government will turn the area into a massive production belt, in the mold of Malaysia.

Similarly, Ikot Ekpene and other areas rich in raffia promised to revive the raffia city market, establish loan-free business clusters and set up an international market to boost the economy of the state.

Ini, Ikono, and the environs blessed with mashy landmass, according to OBA, will become a rice belt, adding, “I must force prosperity on you!”

To further appreciate youths, he promised to return bursary to students in tertiary institutions, while a digital bank will be set up to collate the demographics of the unemployed.

Additionally, he promised to ensure an even flow of interest-free loans to the market women.

Meanwhile, one of the dire-heart supporters of Senator Albert’s governorship aspiration and the immediate past Chief of Staff to governor Udom Emmanuel, Akparawa Ephriam Inyaneyen, spoke in support of OBA’s promises to Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district youths, assuring them that OBA will not fail them as governor.

According to him, their support for the generally accepted aspirant would metamorphose into great dividends for the area.

Inyaneyen who is also enjoying tremendous support and followership from Eket Senatorial district, where he is running for the Senatorial seat in 2023, said, Senator Albert has the competence and expertise to change the fortunes of the senatorial district and state, having not been found wanting in different capacities of service.

He added that the aspirant’s record of service delivery and philanthropy is meritorious and pleaded with the people to remain undeterred in standing firm with OBA despite unsubstantiated tantrums being thrown at him.

“Fear not! Thank you for coming out to make your stand known. Other events were held today just to distract you from coming here, they have failed. OBA is a David, every Saul in pursuit of him as your governor must fall. Queue behind him.”