Youths of the 12 local government areas of Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District are set for a massive solidarity rally in honour of Distinguished Senator Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA), chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) and representative of Akwa Ibom North East (Uyo) Senatorial District.
The epic event, slated for Saturday, March 5, 2022 by 10am, will be held at the QIC Secondary School, behind Eket Sport Stadium, Eket, under the distinguished chairmanship of Obong Barr Jerry Akpan, a former Commissioner for Economic Development and a one-time, chairman, Local Government Service Commission in Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking on the event, Hon Joe Mbong, President of Eket Senatorial District Youths Assembly (ESDYA), said the reception ceremony is to formally appreciate Senator Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA) for his numerous acts of patriotism, humanitarian gestures, detribalized character and selfless services for the people of Eket Senatorial District, the state and the nation at large.
“Honestly, Obong Bassey Albert has been very exemplary; a very sound public administrator, a distinguished lawmaker, a dependable economist and a great humanitarian in Akwa Ibom State and beyond,” he added.
Read Also: Estactic Moments In Ibiono Ibom As Senator Bassey Albert Celebrates Yuletide With Youths
Hon Mbong pointed out that politically, Obong Bassey Albert is considered a hero in Eket Senatorial District because in 2014 he gallantly stepped down for a son of Eket Senatorial District to become the Governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2015 and also stood by the governor in 2019 to secure second term, despite pressures and threats to decamp to the opposition party.
According to him, Eket youths have taken stock of his political antecedents for the area as well as the state as a whole and have therefore reasoned that it is good to recognize and celebrate a character like Senator Bassey Albert for his heroic endeavours that have brought stability, peace and development to the entire State.
“The more reason we want to celebrate him on Saturday is because in 2014, Obong Bassey Albert had the ambition to be the Governor of Akwa Ibom State but because of peace and zoning, he stepped down and handed over his entire structures to our brother, who is from Eket Senatorial District, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel. He stood by him throughout the campaigns, supported him financially and otherwise. Then he won and became the governor of Akwa Ibom State.”
Read Also: Amended Electoral Act Will Deepen Internal Democracy in Political Parties – Senator Bassey Albert
Hon. Mbong pointed out that in 2019, Senator Albert weathered the storm to remain in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) despite the defection of two other Senators in the State to the rival party – the All Progressives Congress (APC), an action which he stated helped in galvanising the victory of the PDP and their son as governor for the second term.
“In 2019, we had two Senators of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) representing Akwa Ibom State in the National Assembly; one from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District and the other from Eket Senatorial District, who decided to abandon the ship and defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to fight against PDP. It was only Obong Bassey Albert that stood firm with PDP to ensure our son and brother, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel become the governor for the second term without fear or favour. And he did that voluntarily without collecting a dime!
He called on the elders in the senatorial district to speak out against perceived political injustice in the state to ensure equity and fair play, stressing that already the youths have taken the initiatives to drive positive narratives that will offer cohesive socio-economic and political unity, peace and development in the State.
“We, the Eket Senatorial District Youths, have decided to appreciate Obong Bassey Albert for what he did for our son. So this is why we will be celebrating this man that has done so much for the interest of Eket Senatorial district, even when he is not from here.
Read Also: New Year Largesse: Senator Albert Gives Out Cars, Tricycles, Motorcycles To Constituents
“We have found Senator Bassey Albert to be a very sincere man. We have good conscience not to forget his works and solidarity with us, especially in times of trouble. It is therefore time to appreciate and reward him too as our preferred choice for Governor in 2023,” the president said.
Mbong described Senator Albert as a divine son that God has sent to offer economic emancipation to the people and the entire state.
In his comment, the chairman of the planning committee, Rt. Hon. Magnus Archibong Etim, said the youths of Eket Senatorial District are very enthusiastic about Distinguished Senator Bassey Albert for his good works and sound leadership character, which Akwa Ibom people earnestly crave for come 2023.
