Sen. Akpan promises loan-free Business Clusters, international market, resuscitating raffia craft in Ikot Ekpene
A frontline Akwa Ibom gubernatorial aspirant has promised the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District and indeed the state to deliberately put in place a policy and programme that will address urban drift and capital flights, thereby alleviating the poverty of vulnerable citizens.
While addressing the party structure, delegates, and stakeholders in Ikot Ekpene local government council, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan who is aspiring to contest for the office of the governor in 2023 promised to revive the businesses in Ikot Ekpene by building clusters of loan-free enterprises, an international market as well as restoring the old raffia city.
OBA while appealing to his teeming supporters and followers in the area on Friday, charged them to carry out his campaigns with decorum by letting the people of the state know his unique selling points, stating that Nigeria is practicing democracy and that democracy is about the people freely exercising their choices.
He, therefore, urged them to freely choose him as their next governor, without being intimidated by anybody because he has developed a local solution to solving the problems in Akwa Ibom.
Rehearsing his pedigree, Akpan said he was the only one with experience in private and public sectors and well-equipped to change the fortunes of Akwa Ibom for the better.
He said he was in Ikot Ekpene to honour the party and charge the delegates and stakeholders not to leave Akwa Ibom in the hands of quacks but to support him based on his record of achievements.
The senator announced Sir Emem Akpabio as the chairman of the Campaign Council and Pastor Sunny Ibuot as the Director-General.
Pastor Sunny Ibuot, in his first assignment, presented OBA as one whose experience and achievements position him as the best for the job in the state.
He reminded the people that democracy gives them the right to choose who to support, recalling that the people of Ikot Ekpene were among those who initiated the principle of democracy in Nigeria.
The senator, he said, was accessible, knew how to relate, and was the best for Akwa Ibom State, based on his experience and impact on the lives of the people.
Akpabio on his part assured him that Ikot Ekpene will not be left out of the new vision to transform Akwa Ibom.
He said a five-star state, like Akwa Ibom, cannot afford to have a no-star governor. OBA as a five-star senator, he said will ensure steady progress of the state.
Responding, the Chapter chairman, Chief Andrew Ekerete, expressed gratitude that OBA has sponsored over 421 students on scholarship.
He advised that when the senator becomes the governor, he should not forget those working with him, especially Ikot Ekpene people.
Also, the Political Leader of Ikot Ekpene, Senator Ibok Essien, while welcoming the aspirant and his high-profile entourage, charged his supporters to be consistent and truthful in whatever they do.
He commended Senator Akpan for his sterling performances in the senate, stating that having been a former principal officer in the red chamber, he knew a performing senator when he sees one.
Sen. Ibok Essien thanked OBA for spearheading the Petroleum Industry Act and appealed that the 3% for the oil-producing communities be increased to at least 5%.
He said his wish was for Akwa Ibom to get the best as governor and encouraged the aspirant to work harder.
According to him, “I don’t subscribe to intimidation of delegates and I don’t believe it is done in Ikot Ekpene”, he submitted.