ANACOWA Backs Senator Albert For March 18 Guber Poll

For All Nigeria Autobike Commercial Owners and Workers Association (ANACOWA), Akwa Ibom State branch, who to support and vote for in the gubernatorial election on Saturday, March 18, 2023, is not a guessing game.

The choice for its teeming members to vote for in the upcoming poll is the governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Akwa Ibom State, Distinguished Senator Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA) CON.

According to ANACOWA, Senator Albert, who is representing Akwa Ibom North East in the Senate, is the best candidate to govern Akwa Ibom State given his impressive antecedents both in the private and public sectors, his blueprint for the State and the capacity to translate the dreams of the people into reality.

The National President of ANACOWA, Elder Okon Edet announced the position of the body at the formal endorsement ceremony of OBA as the group’s sole candidate for the 2023 gubernatorial election held at Senator Albert Multi-purpose Recreational and Event Centre, Ifa Ikot Akpan, Airport Road, Uyo on Thursday, March 9, 2023.

Elder Edet said members of the association have suffered untold hardship in the hands of the present administration in Akwa Ibom through exorbitant tariffs and do know that the succession plan by Governor Udom Emmanuel-led administration will amount to the continuation of the merciless agenda to continue keeping its members and Akwa Ibom people under the chains of poverty.

“We have seen OBA as someone who knows what governance means for the people and the State. We have gone through his blueprint and it is simply the best for Akwa Ibom State. OBA has genuine intentions and his plans for the State will certainly wipe away the tears and the sufferings that members of ANACOWA have faced under the present administration since 2015.

“Our decision to support Senator Albert takes into account his performance records over the years as a banker, Commissioner for Finance and currently as senator representing Akwa Ibom North East. He is the kind of leader Akwa Ibom State needs now. We call on the people to vote for OBA overwhelmingly,” the National President added.

“Under the previous administration of Governor Godswill Akpabio, our association enjoyed empowerment through donations of Minibuses and Tricycles (Keke) to our members across the 31 Local Government Areas. Tickets were handled by us but the present administration deprived us of handling them and brought in consultants. Having seen what Senator Albert has done in Uyo Senatorial District, we know that he will replicate it in the entire State if allowed to govern,” he quipped.

To commit the governorship candidate into the hands of the Almighty God throughout the electioneering season, election and governance of the State, ANACOWA presented Senator Albert with a copy of the Holy Bible.

“We know that God is everything. He alone guides and gives wisdom. Our gift to you is a copy of the Holy Bible. We, therefore commit you to God and pray for your success at the poll and governance of the State, Elder Okon stated.

In his response, the governorship candidate of YPP, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA) CON thanked members of ANACOWA for their insightful decision to support him in the gubernatorial race and assured them that he will never disappoint them and the people of Akwa Ibom State in general.

OBA said through his Operation Basic Amenities as contained in his Positive Impact Agenda, Akwa Ibom State will experience massive development and the empowerment of the people.

He acknowledged the high level of poverty in the State because of the insensitivity of the current administration to address the needs of people as well as failing to pay pensions and gratuities to retirees and next of kin of primary school teachers, and the lack of transparency in disclosing the actual accruals earned by the State from Federation Account and sundry sources.

“Through our 3Rs – Recovery, Reconciliation and Repositioning, our administration will put the State on a sound pedestal towards our socio-economic and political well-being.  We will give people the opportunity to participate and make inputs in the governance of the State as democracy demands,” Senator Albert stressed.

Earlier, the Grand Patron of the association, Obong Daniel Udoh commended the leadership and members of the organisation for their courage and decision to adopt Senator Albert as their preferred candidate for the governorship election.

Obong Udoh said with his years of working closely with Senator Albert, members of ANACOWA will not regret the decision they have collectively taken to support him as the best governorship candidate for the 2023 poll.

“I’ve worked with Senator Albert for years and I know him to be very consistent in his ways. He is a man that can be trusted. His performances have fetched him several awards, the latest being the conferment of Commander of Order of Niger (CON) by His Excellency, Mr Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

At the well-attended event was the Chairman of Akwa UbokAbasi Campaign Council, Sir Emem Akpabio, who further assured the group that Senator Albert will make Akwa Ibomites proud in his governance.

“Let all hands be on deck to ensure he is elected as Governor of Akwa Ibom State on March 18, 2023. He will change the narratives of development and restore the lost glory of the State,” Akpabio said.