Akwa Ibom 2023: Senator Akpan shut out of local govt area for consultations

A frontline Governorship aspirant in Akwa Ibom on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Bassey Akpan has been denied access into Nsit Ubium Local Government Area to enable him consult with PDP delegates and stakeholders in preparation for the forthcoming party primaries.

The Director General of his campaign organisation known as Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Organisation, Mr Sunny Ibuot, said Akpan, who was billed to consult the delegates and stakeholders on Friday,  March 25 was denied access to meet with them.

“This morning, March 25, 2022, our Principal, Sen. Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA), and his campaign team were due to pay a consultative visit to the Oku Ibom Ibibio, the delegates and party structure in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area. All necessary arrangements had been made days ago.

“But to our shock and dismay, the Chapter Chairman of Nsit Ubium, Mr Edet Inyang Eno,  informed us this morning that he had been instructed not to receive Sen. Akpan (OBA) and his entourage in Nsit Ubium.

“This is completely against the tenets of democracy, good conscience and peaceful co-existence.

“The question is: what has Sen OBA really done wrong to be so persecuted, maligned, disparaged and discriminated against?

“When did it become a crime for a freeborn, a man who has always stood for peace and equity; a man who stood by others in their moments of despair – to aspire to lead his people?

“It should be noted that on Feb. 6 OBA openly pleaded with his kinsmen, stakeholders and party structure in Ibiono Ibom his home local government, to open their doors wide and receive every aspirant with open arms,” Ibuot said.

It would be recalled that the state Chairman of PDP, Mr Aniekan Akpan had said that all aspirants would be allowed a level playground to carry on with their political ambition and has repeatedly instructed all party formations across the state to give all the aspirants equal access to the delegates and stakeholders without any obstruction.

Ibuot in the statement reminded politicians and all stakeholders that power belongs to God, and He gives it to whosoever He pleases.