Governorship Poll: Igbo Community Pledges Support for Bassey Albert

The Igbo Community in Akwa Ibom State has assured the Governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Obong Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA) CON of their support for him at the forthcoming March 11, 2023 polls in the State.

The community made its position known on Sunday, February 12, 2023, at the Grand Finale of the Igbo Community Cup football tournament for OBA, which held at the Senator’s Recreational Facility in Ifa Ikot Akpan, along Airport Way, Uyo.

Assuring Sen. Albert of their readiness to vote for him at their polling units, the President General of the Igbo Community in the State and Managing Director, Ugo Parkers, Chief (Dr.) Samuel Orie, said their decision stemmed from the agreement of elders of the body who had earlier declared total support for OBA.

The President General of Non-Indigenes in the State, ‘Ugo Parker’ described OBA as their In-law who has made them very proud hence, deserving of their votes.

Similarly, the President of the winning team, Newtop Star Football Club, Nkemnele Chibuzor remarked that the friendly tournament comprising New Topstar FC, Igbo All-stars, TMT Club, Igbo Youths, Mechanic Village Football Club and Golden Star FC, was organized by the Igbos to honour and rally support for Senator Albert.

“We love you our in-law. We do not doubt your capacity because we’ve seen and heard your work. We are giving you our support. The last administration we enjoyed in this state was when Chief Godswill Akpabio was the governor of this state. We do not doubt that when you take over, all will be well with the state including all of us,” he said.

Related: 2023 Guber: Uyo Sen. District Leaders Forum Endorse OBA

Responding, Senator Bassey Albert (CON) appreciated them for believing in him. He particularly lauded his wife, Pastor Imaobong Albert for being instrumental in the converge of the non-indigenes and for her unwavering support for his course.

“My wife, your sister, has been my pillar, my greatest human source of strength, my chief campaigner, who makes no mistake”.

“I assure you that we will sit down with the business community to harmonize incentives that will make businesses grow when we emerge. We will make Akwa Ibom the desired destination for investors,” OBA stated.

He, therefore, called on them to safeguard their PVCs to vote YPP in the forthcoming elections.

In her address, Mrs Imaobong Nkeiru Albert restated that her husband’s administration will create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, irrespective of the background of the business owners.

She introduced her husband as their in-law whose name and deeds have travelled the length and breadth of the country in a positive light and canvassed support for him.

“He is detribalised and very particular about the progress of others,” she said.

Validating the concerns of the businessmen, she acknowledged the difficulties encountered by the non-indigenes as they carry out their ventures.

“Indeed, an enabling environment has not been created for our businesses to thrive; that’s why we need a leader who will not just be for the citizens but for non-indigenes as well,” she stated.

Assuring that OBA would bring about the much envisaged improved business environment that would see to the growth of their businesses, Mrs Albert persuaded them to go out on the day of the election to vote for him.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Council, Sir Emem Akpabio who thanked the Igbos in the state and other non-indigenes, assured that under OBA’s administration, the state will be more functional and productive.

He said that OBA’s government will carry everyone along, irrespective of background or ethnic affiliation.