A former Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant in Akwa Ibom State, Bassey Albert, on Friday, removed the PDP’s flags in his campaign office, and hoisted Young Peoples Party’s flags.
Albert, a two-term Senator representing Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District, had earlier on Friday resigned his membership of the PDP in a letter he sent to the chairman of the party in his ward in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
This was immediately after his political supporters lost in their attempt to get a Federal High Court in Abuja to cancel the PDP primaries in the state.
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When Straightnews reporter reached Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Organisation, Mr Albert’s campaign office along Edet Akpan Avenue at 3.15 p.m. on Friday, some office workers were seen hoisting the flags of the YPP around the massive building, while removing the PDP flags.
Inside a hall in the building, six supporters of Mr Albert were seen discussing with excitement the expected movement to the YPP.
Some supporters were seen in groups discussing in muttered voices while staffers were busy arranging the office and hoisting the YPP’s flags.
The activities in the office confirmed the speculations that Mr Albert, a senator representing Akwa Ibom North East District, would defect to the YPP to contest the 2023 governorship election in the state.
For now, the YPP governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom is Nyeneime Andy, an Uyo-based Apostle.
Mr Andy is expected to pull out of the contest to give way for the new entrant.
Bassey’s resignation letter
The Senator representing the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District, Senator Bassey Akpan, has resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party on which platform he was elected into the Red Chamber.
The letter titled, ‘Resignation of my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’, read:
“It is with the greatest sense of responsibility, purpose, and love for my people that I make bold this communication.
“I have been a loyal and committed member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for over 20 years and have through the platform of the party served our people, state, and nation diligently without any blemish, and I have, by the grace of God, contributed positively and impactfully to the growth and development of our dear country, state, and our people in general.
“I believe as a lawmaker and a distinctive one at that, I must at all times advocate and pursue virtues and values that promote and sustain the effective adherence to the rule of law.
“As you are aware, my aspiration to serve our dear state in the office of the Executive Governor is not personal or selfish but rather the collective ambition of our people, based on the principles of justice and equity, to achieve a better and prosperous Akwa Ibom State.
“In the words of Jean Anouilh and I quote The only immorality is not to do what one has to do when one has to do it.
“Therefore, after an extensive consultation with my God, family, friends, supporters, and well-meaning believers in a just and equitable Akwa Ibom State across the world, it’s obvious that these collective yearnings and aspirations cannot be actualised under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“Consequently, guided by the sentiments, concerns and worries of our people so expressed on the need to take immediate steps for the actualisation of their aspirations, I am therefore compelled to resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) forthwith.
“I am convinced that this action will enable me to take the next positive step to meet the hopes and expectations of Akwa Ibom people.’’
