March 07, (THEWILL) – Senator Bassey Akpan, representing Akwa Ibom North-East (Uyo) Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom State, has finally declared his intention to contest as Governor of the state as 2023 general elections draws near.
The Senator made the declaration to the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday, during a consultative visit to the party exco, led by the state chairman, Hon Aniekan Akpan in Uyo.
Akpan, who is the Senate Committee Chairman on Petroleum (Upstream), followed by a mammoth crowd of supporters, well-wishers and party faithfuls, who thronged the Akwa Ibom State PDP Secretariat, formally informed the party of his readiness to contest for the exulted office in 2023.
Addressing an enlarged Exco of the party, senator Akpan urged the leaders of the party to, as a way of rewarding loyalty, ensure a level-playing field for all the aspirants in the contest.
The leading governorship aspirant assured the party that if the party will remain neutral in coordinating the primaries, he will have a landslide victory to the glory of God and the state PDP.
He thanked the party chairman, Hon Aniekan Akpan, for steadying the party by his recent comments and actions.
He said there was a time that there was a growing concern in the state over the objectivity of the party, but that to the glory of God, the leadership eventually arrested the situation.
He debunked claims in a section of the media that he had problem with Governor Udom Emmanuel, insisting that his loyalty to the governor remains intact.
He recalled that the love he always had for Governor Emmanuel made him to step down in 2014, to pave way for the peaceful emergence of the sitting governor.
“The same love, also repeated in 2019, when I remained the only senator standing by the governor for a second term, after the others decamped to APC”, He recalled.
Enumerating his life-touching impacts, the senator mentioned some Akwa Ibom citizens he personally intervened when they were victimised in their places of work.
Additionally, he said he has sponsored about 426 students on scholarships, with monthly stipends. According to him, through his effort, about 21 of those students graduated with first-class honours.
Responding, the state Chairman, Aniekan Akpan, commended Senator Akpan for effective representation in the senate, describing him as “one of the finest.”
Announcing that the PDP in Akwa Ibom is one united family, the chairman said any political party is for service and promised there will be a level-playing field for all aspirants.
To him, a level-playing field involves a proper organisation of voting arrangements without interference, submitting that only one person will eventually become the winner.
Aniekan Akpan then advised that as Akpan’s campaign starts officially, it should be done with love and pleasantries.
He also advised OBA to focus on his grace, involve God in his campaign and discuss issues. He, however, announced that the party is one, even as it is open for all members.
