How and why PDP shunned zoning, endorsed OBA for second term

The road appears to be clear for Senator Bassey Albert popularly known as OBA as he seeks re-election in 2019.

The Uyo Senatorial District Lawmaker got unflinching assurances in respect of 2019 from his party and State Governor as he gathered his constituents for a mega constituency briefing that also had the Senate President endorse him for the next election.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel who was personally present at the Uyo Township Stadium, venue of the briefing commended members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom for their steadfastness and support to his administration, saying this has accounted for the numerous achievements of his administration.

The Governor spoke on a day he received plaudits from the senate president Senator Bukola Saraki for his effective governance of his state.

Mr. Emmanuel reminded the people that as a Governor, the interest of the state was paramount to him advised those who left the ruling party in the state to return to the fold.

The State Chief Executive who said it was not a day for him to speak elaborately noted that his administration had constructed up to twenty eight internal roads in Uyo Local Government Area alone, and thanked the youths for always standing by the party.

He made a strong case for the return of lawmakers with good representations to the National Assembly and expressed delight with the Senate Committee Chairman on Gas for doing exceptionally well.

According to the Governor, “as a state, I am speaking sincerely and  honestly, we must stand as a state and determine how many of the good representations we have that we must send back to the Senate and House of Representatives ”

The essence, Governor Emmanuel maintained, was to create opportunities for the returning members to be Chairmen of excellent and exceptional committees for the overall benefit of the state.

Governor Emmanuel said the day was to appreciate Senator Bassey Albert who was representing Uyo Senatorial District exceptionally well and concurred all that the earlier speakers said in support of the Senator.

The Senate President represented by the lead Chairman, all committees in the oil and gas sector, Senator Kabir Garba Marafa said he was satisfied with Governor Emmanuel’s performance, and recommended him for a second term in office.

The Senate President,  moved motions that were overwhelmingly endorsed by the people for the re-election of Governor Emmanuel and Senator Bassey Akpan in 2019.

Dr Saraki also made a case for the return of the Former Governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio who despite being a first time member, was able to emerge as the Senate Minority Leader and thanked Governor Emmanuel profoundly for all his support to members of the National Assembly from Akwa Ibom State.

Also speaking, the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on behalf of his colleagues in the National Assembly from Akwa Ibom State, noted that Senator Bassey Albert was doing well and promised to stand by him.

The Senate Minority Leader who said that he only attended the event as a witness commended Senator Albert for not betraying his people and allowing the Senatorial District’s voice to be heard.

Senator Akpabio corroborated the support for a second term in office for Governor Emmanuel by former Military Administrator, Otuekong Idongesit  Nkanga, Senator Anietie Okon, Senator Effiong Bob and others.

The Senate Minority Leader explained that “Having performed well despite difficult economic circumstances, having maintained peace in the state, having been able to take Akwa Ibom to the centre and even in the period of opposition has done extremely well and therefore we are saying he is going back as a second term Governor”.

According to Senator  Akpabio, there is no point changing a winning team. “Team Akwa Ibom led by Udom Emmanuel will go back in 2019. Your Excellency, this shows you that political party does not matter for you.  What matters is the fact that you have performed well. Because APC has endorsed you, I stand as PDP to join my colleagues to further endorse you”.

While addressing the people, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan thanked the Akwa Ibom North East for giving him the mandate in 2015 and declared his preparedness to seek re-election next year with the greatest sense of responsibility and in line with the endorsement of his people.

The  Senator explained that the real essence of the event tagged; Celebrating God’s Faithfulness, was to honour Governor Emmanuel for taking up the fight to sustain the mandate given to him willingly by the people of Uyo Senatorial District in 2015.

He applauded the  Senate Minority Leader, Senator Akpabio for believing in Akwa Ibom youths and giving them the opportunity to express themselves, himself a direct beneficiary of the act of encouragement.

The  Senate Committee Chairman on Oil and Gas announced his packages for the constituents and previous efforts at providing for students from the zone through scholarship scheme to 180 beneficiaries alongside educational allowances.

According to the Senator, four hundred students take forty thousand naira each as educational support funds while five hundred traders were to go home with fifty thousand naira each to complement Governor’s support for traders.

Senator Bassey Albert Akpan thanked the PDP for finding some of them fit to fly the party flag and promised that they will not disappoint.

Chairman on the Occasion and former Military Governor of the state, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga described Obong Bassey Albert as a performing  Senator saying that Uyo Senatorial District has already made up their mind to support the Uyo Senator and Governor Emmanuel for a second term in office.

Otuekong  Nkanga specifically drew attention of the National Assembly members at the event to the plight of Akwa Ibom State that lays the golden egg for the national but not adequately treated and strongly called for a legislation to reverse the anomalies.

He told them that the people from the area were demanding restructuring in order to have true federalism in the country.

The event witnessed presentation of goodwill messages and declaration of support by Senator Anietie Okon, Senator Effiong Bob, State PDP Chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo, the Speaker, AKHA, Barr. Onofiok Luke, the National Legal Adviser of the PDP,  Barr Emmanuel Enoidem with some members of the National Working Committee, Local Government Chairmen and Councillors, women and youths among others from the District.

30 cars, 20 mini buses, 20 block moulding machines, 46 tricycles, 15KVA generators, grinding machines, sewing machines and several other items were shared as empowerment by Senator Bassey Albert Akpan.

The Senatorial briefing and empowerment also had in attendance, the Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, other members of the National and state state legislature, State Working Committee members of the PDP,  the SSG, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, Commissioners and Special Advisers, Clergy, Royal Fathers, Women, Socio political groups and political stakeholders among others.

Report by: Ndifreke P. Akpan.