Guber 2015: ‘We will not Split Our Vote’ – OBA, Umana Umana Emerges… One the leading governorship aspirants in the state, Obong Bassey Albert Akpan has expressed his readiness to work with a fellow Uyo Senatorial District gubernatorial aspirant, Obong Umana Umana to ensure that the Senatorial District produce the next governor come 2015. Obong Akapn, who made this stance known last Wednesday during Umana Umana’s birthday, noted that: “When it comes to Uyo 2015 governorship, my big brother seated there (Obong Umana Umana) and myself, have agreed to work together”. The stated that: “Again, me and Obong Umana Okon Umana will sit down and agree who would be governor in 2015. It is also possible that UOU may want to say Albert go, I will go, but if you think because you sit down in a meeting and discuss, that you will split vote, we will not split our vote. “So, I want to say that with the utter most humility and with the greatest sense of responsibility that I wish the celebrant many more years and happy years in advance. By the grace of God, the next governor of Akwa Ibom State would come from God alone. Man has the right to support whosoever he wants to support but God will have the final say; this is my prayer and so shall it be in Jesus name”. The gubernatorial aspirant further offered insight to the fact that Uyo people believe that for equity and fairness to prevail the next governor must come from Uyo Senatorial District, stressing that in 2006, 37 aspirants emerged from Ikot Ekpene and Eket Senatorial District yet it was the votes of the delegates of Uyo Senatorial District that led to the emergency of Governor Akpabio as PDP candidate in 2006. He emphasized that it was on that strength that Governor Akpabio promised to hand-over power to the Ibibios of Uyo Senatorial District. He added: “I believe that a word of a King was registered in heaven. So make no mistake, no matter the manipulation, the next Governor of Akwa Ibom State would come from Uyo Senatorial District because heaven has ordained it and for equity and fairness to prevail, Uyo Senatorial District must produce the next governor. “As we speak, the MD of NDDC is from Eket Senatorial District; the Minister for Housing is from Eket Senatorial District; the Ambassador is from Eket Senatorial District; the Commissioner for NDDC is from Eket Senatorial District. If there was fairness why didn’t they give ministerial appointment to Uyo Senatorial District? Six or seven federal board appointments went Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District. Uyo is empty, even the SSG that was sacked that is from Uyo is now gone to Eket Federal Constituency. “What is the fairness and equity in what we are doing? We are appealing to the people of Eket Senatorial District and our brothers in Ikot Ekpene to have mercy on the people of Uyo Senatorial District,” he pleaded. Responding, the celebrant, Obong Umana Umana commended Obong Bassey Albert Akpan whom he described as his younger brother, noting that he was determined to work with Albert Akpan. He stated: “I thank my brother and other aspirants who have shown maturity and statesmanship, because it is not a do-or-die affair; it is all in the hands of God, and all we have been asking for is that there should be a level playing field and the people of Akwa Ibom State should decided so. I offer myself for service and I believe that with the support I have been receiving from you, with your steadfastness and courage and with God on our side we shall conquer and overcome. We shall prevail, we shall accomplish.” Ekemini Simon reporting…
Posted on: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 04:02:57 +0000