Ukana Iba, Essien Udim was agog on Thursday October 23, 2014 as the leading candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State for the 2015 Governorship election, Obong Bassey Albert consulted political stakeholders in the area.
Mr. Albert accompanied by his campaign team was greeted by thousands of supporters and bigwigs in the area. It was the last in a long series of consultation to stakeholders across the thirty one local Government areas of the state.
Obong Albert said he opted to secure the blessings of his mentor and former boss, Chief Godswill Akpabio, before consulting people of the area. He added: “I insisted that I will not consult the people of Essien Udim without first consulting the Governor and our political leader to seek fatherly blessings”.
The former banker also hinted that his relationship with the Governor was intact and called on the people to debunk rumours making ranks and propaganda by some persons that he is not in terms with Akpabio. “If there is anyone that has been loyal to Governor Akpabio and served him diligently with all sense of humility, consistency and loyalty, it is me”. He boasted.
The Governorship hopeful praised Essien Udim people for the support they have accorded the Akpabio led administration and pleaded with them to sustain the tempo till end of the Governor’s tenure. He charged the people to shun politics of bitterness and always look up to God as he alone entrust leadership on people.
The ex-commissioner and immediate past chairman of the state’s inter-ministerial direct labour coordinating committee assured the people of continued development of the area. He also mentioned that his administration will ensure the synergy that exists between various ethnic groups and tribes in the state will further be enhanced.
Mr.Albert stressed that he has properly been mentored by Chief Akpabio and as such, he possesses the prerequisite qualities required for sustenance of the uncommon transformation drive of the present administration. He added that mentorship and sustainable development are positively related. “There is a correlation between mentorship and development. Before you can say one has been properly mentored, he must have been firstly discovered, nurtured, trained, cultivated, guided, trusted and properly groomed. This has been my story with Governor Akpabio for the past seven years”. Obong Albert declared.
The leading aspirant urged the people to see him as the bridge between the elders, youths and women in the state. He charged the people to queue behind his candidature to emerge as PDP standard bearer in the November 29 primaries for effective and transparent leadership to be experienced across the state.
He also tasked the people to be law abiding, while contributing their quota to the development of the area and state at large. He prayed God to produce a Governor that will be loyal to Akwa Ibom people and effectively ensure equitable distribution of wealth to the masses.
Responding on behalf of the elders, a PDP chieftain, Chief Abiyi said people of the area are open to development and lauded Obong Albert’s contribution to emergence of the new Akwa Ibom. He also urged the people to support his aspiration for peace, progress and stability of the state.
Speaking for Essien Udim Women, Mrs. Charity Anthony assured Obong Albert of support from Essien Udim people and charged Women of the area to embrace Mr. Albert’s candidacy as their personal and collective project, citing him as one who truly understands the plight of Akwa Ibom women.
Comrade Paul Ibari who spoke for Youths in the area, said Obong Bassey Albert’s victory in the forthcoming PDP primaries and subsequent emergence as Governor of the state is the collective prayer of Akwa Ibom Youths. The Youth leader, who spoke in glaring terms, told the gathering that Mr. Albert has unanimously been adopted by Akwa Ibom students. He also pleaded with him to consider empowerment of Youths as one of the core objectives of his administration.
Earlier, the chief host and Lecturer with the University of Calabar, Dr. Emma Bush tasked people of the area to see Mr. Albert’s emergence as Governor as a panacea for sustainability of Akwa Ibom’s economic, social and infrastructural development. He hinted that the former finance boss is ready to lead the masses, and also urged Essien Udim people to see Governorship aspirant as the best. “I have made raw assessment and some analysis, amongst all candidates that have indicated interest in the race for Governorship of the state in 2015, Obong Bassey Albert is the best and the man to beat. If you subject all of them (aspirants) to examination, OBA will come out tops with excellent grades. He is unbeatable”. The University Don added.
Obong Bassey Albert used the occasion to intimate his supporters of his 2015 Governorship declaration rally billed for Thursday 30th October, 2014 in Uyo.