The Senator representing Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, has emerged the governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in the state.
Akpan popularly called ‘OBA’ was elected YPP governorship candidate during the party’s primary held at the party’s secretariat, Uyo Friday.
In the primary election, Akpan who was a sole aspirant polled 216 votes to emerge the party’s standard bearer for the race.
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His emergence came five days after Pastor Nyenime Andy, the former governorship candidate of the party, announced his voluntary withdrawal from the race.
The fresh primary ordered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saw all the delegates from the 31 local government areas filed behind him.
It was asserted that the primary monitored by INEC, was in line with Section 33 of the Electoral Act, 2022 which stipulates that when a candidate voluntarily withdraws from an election, he must be substituted through a fresh primary within 14 days.
The peaceful primary was supervised by the National Secretary of YPP, Mr. Vidiyeno Bamaiyi.
After the election, Akpan was decorated with the party’s regalia for candidates, including collecting a certificate of return.
In his speech, Akpan pledged not to disappoint his family, teeming supporters, party and the entire state for the trust and confidence reposed in him.
He pledged to be one of the best governor in Akwa Ibom has ever had, when he wins at the poll, next year.
Aside from INEC, the event was also witnessed by the national officers of YPP, leaders and members of his campaign team, the Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Organisation, supporters, friends and associates from across party lines in the state.
The election of Akpan has put to rest speculation of his next political line of action after dumping the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
Asuquo Amba to serve as running mate
Meanwhile, Senator Bassey Albert has presented a former Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Asuquo A.A. Amba, as his running mate.
Retired AIG Amba was presented at the secretariat of the YPP in Uyo on Friday, August 5.
Amba retired as Assistant Inspector General of Police at the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Gombe State in 2021.
He had served as Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa, Oyo and Ekiti states.
Amba is a native of Urue Offong/Oruko in Akwa Ibom state, was born on the March 31, 1961. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English/Literary Studies from the University of Lagos in 1984.
He was enlisted into the Nigerian Police Force as a Cadet ASP in 1986. In the course of duty, he has served in all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, ranging from the FCT, Sokoto, Akwa Ibom, Oyo, Enugu, Imo, Kebbi, Edo, Bayelsa, Ekiti etc. He served as the First Staff Officer Junior in the present State Police Headquarters, Uyo.
He served as the Divisional Police Officer, Eket. Other notable command positions he has held include the Training Department of the Force Headquarters, Abuja, as an Assistant Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and as a full Commissioner of Police.
Deployed as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Anti Bomb Unit; he held such command postings as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Oyo State, as Commissioner of Police in the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) and Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa and Ekiti States before his promotion and redeployment as the pioneer AIG, Force Criminal Investigation Unit (FCID) for the North East Zone, headquartered in Gombe State.
AIG Amba Asuquo attended every required/promotional course of the Nigerian Police Force, including international courses in Israel, Italy, Chad, Poland and the USA. He served as a member of the United Nations Peace Keeping Force in East Timor and Liberia.
Amba retired from the police force in February 2021.
