Aniefiok Christopher
The former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio said if voted, he would offer effective representation in the Senate and redress some past mistakes.
Akpabio who represented Akwa Ibom North West in the Senate from 2015 to 2019 lamented a situation in which a few individuals empowered in his government cornered government patronages for themselves and their families, assuring that it would never happen again.
The Senator in company of his wife and former First Lady of the state, Mrs Unoma, made the pledge at the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Ukanafun, Akuku (Engr.) Amos Daniel Akpan, after a whistle stop over at Utu Nsekhe village during National Assembly ward tour in the area on Tuesday.
The one-time Akwa Ibom Governor from 2007 to 2015 recalled “I empowered them when they were in my government but they didn’t allow it to trickle down the ladder and today, they are using that same money to fight and insult me on a daily basis in the media.
Also read: 2023 elections: Akpabio, Ibritam Kick off Ward Tour Campaign
‘‘One thing we don’t condone in Annang land is the younger ones insulting their elders, and I know you will reply them with your votes that would send me to the Senate,’’ he declared.
He told the leadership of the traditional council of his desire to represent the district in the Senate for further development and progress of the district.
The National Vice Chairman of the APC Presidential Campaign Council recalled how he ensured even development of the area when he was governor, through the award of contracts for the construction of roads, only for the contract to be diverted to another place by an indigene of the area.
He promised to ensure that the road that was diverted is constructed and commissioned for use as soon as he is sworn in as their senator in June.
Akpabio told his teeming supporters at the palace that what is wrong with what is playing out in the senatorial district is attempting to put a square peg in a round hole, cautioning them against such decision because it would set the district several steps backward.
The Senator noted that his visit to the traditional rulers was just to thank them for their support and ask them to vote for him based on performance, credibility, capability and acceptance across party lines which he represents.
In his response, the Paramount Ruler thanked the former governor of the state for according him and his council members the honour of visiting them to intimate them of his senatorial ambition before attending his party’s rally in his domain.
The royal Father surrounded by some Clan/village heads in the area prayed for the success and safety of the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and his entourage, as they go round the senatorial district for votes.
According to him, “the Lord that sees your heart and intentions towards your people, will grant you, your heart desires to enable you fulfill all those your promises to the people.”
Akpabio who ran into a horde of jubilant supporters made a brief stop-over at the junction of Utu Ikot Eboro in Etim Ekpo, the hometown of Mr. Emmanuel Enoidem, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.
The ward tour berthed at Primary School, Ikot Akpa Ntuen comprising wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, and the APC senatorial candidate expressed surprise at the sea of heads at the rally venue.
According to him, “I am here today in Ukanafun to say thank you for all your support for me in the past and the one you have already assured me of, on the 25th of this month.
“This is me, your son, your brother and your friend, Godswill Akpabio. Your uncommon governor who turned boys to men, who declared free and compulsory education, who built the airport, who built the Godswill Akpabio International stadium, who constructed the Abak-Etim Ekpo Road which had been cut off from other parts of the state for over 40 years. This is me, give me your votes again and see me turn your life around for good,” Akpabio stated.
Similarly, Obong Freedom Ibritam who is vying for Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives thanked Akpabio, the party and the people for giving him the opportunity to represent the party in the National Assembly.
Ibritam, a retired police chief, assured to offer selfless service to his constituents, if elected during the February 25 election.
The retired police chief assured the people of an unprecedented representation once he and Senator Akpabio are given the mandate to represent them at the Green and Red Chambers of the National Assembly.
Also speaking, Mr. Ubokobong Umoh who is eyeing Ukanafun State Constituency seat in the State House of Assembly thanked the people for the large turn-out.
He also thanked Akpabio for coming to canvass for votes in the area, and appealed to the electorate to vote massively for the party in various positions during the forthcoming general elections.
At the Comprehensive Secondary School, Afaha Obo comprising wards 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, Akpabio enumerated the achievements he recorded in the area especially the construction of Abak-Ikot Akpa Nkuk Road and award of contract for the construction of Ukanafun General Hospital, though mired in crisis, during his eight-year-old administration as a governor.
He urged the people to vote massively for all the candidates of APC during the general elections.
Speaking too, Obong Ibritam restated the resolve of the Ukanafun people to cast their votes for the Ukana-born politician.
According to him, “Our support for you cuts across party lines because amongst all those angling for the Senate seat, you are the best and it is you, we will send with our votes.
“Your antecedents in public office, achievements, carriage and capacity to deliver, stand you out from the crowd and we will not make any mistake of sending inexperienced persons as our representative in the Senate. We are sending our best and you are our best today,’’ the House of Representatives candidate declared.
At the ward rallies, Arc. Ubokutom Nyah, the Director-General of Godswill Akpabio Campaign Orgnaisation; Dr. David Umoessien, the State Deputy Chairman of the party; Dr. Margaret Udofia, the State acting Secretary of APC and Hon. Patty Etete, a former National Assembly member spoke in glowing terms about Akpabio, pledging to massively mobilise the electorate to vote for the party.
