Unidentified gunmen kill Akwa Ibom YPP Governorship candidate’s aides; Brother dies

A statement signed and released by the campaign organization of Senator Bassey Albert the Young Progressives Party (YPP) Governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State has confirmed the assassination of the Senator’s aides in Imo State.

The statement by the Akwa Ubok Abasi campaign organization also notified the general public that Senator Albert lost his brother Robert Albert on Thursday with the assassination of two aides following less than 24 hours later.

The Press statement title ” Light ahead of this Spectre of disasters,” signed by Sir Emem Akpabio, Chairman of the campaign council reads:

” In the last twenty-four hours, a spectre of unfortunate happenings have occurred in the Family of Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Council.

” Just on Thursday, October 6, 2022, we woke up to the untimely loss of Akparawa Robert Albert Akpan, the younger brother of Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, the Gubernatorial Candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Akwa Ibom State. His death, though by brief illness, is one very painful.

“While we were yet engrossed in that very sad mode; another very monstrous deaths occurred today, Friday, October 7, 2022 involving the Chief Protocol Officer to Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Council and indeed Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, Mr. Imoh Isang with his police escort Inspector Linus Odey, who were shot by unknown gunmen in Imo State while on duty call.

“These sudden and despicable deaths, even as we recall the unresolved grotesque incidences of killings and brutal attacks of our members in recent past, are certainly worrisome.

“Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Council is deeply touched by these spate of deaths and wishes to console us all, our Principal, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA) and his family as well as the families of our fallen brothers; Late Robert Albert Akpan, Late Mr. Imo Isang. And Inspector Odey.

Having been co-workers and believers in the movement towards the liberation of Akwa Ibom State come 2023; Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Council will continue to hold them dearly in our memories and forge on without wavering, until victory is duly achieved.

“We further make bold to say that though it is a heartbreaking moment and very difficult to comprehend, we shall take full consolation in God as the scriptures in Romans 12:12 says, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

“It is in this light, therefore, that I urge us to grief but not to despair. Sad to say, but loss is a part of life, yet our grief must never be unending. Rather, in a moment like this, when our flesh and hearts may fail, we must make God our strength and portion (Psalm 73:26). The scripture encourages us that “the LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

” Indeed, this setback may be the devil’s attempt to derail God’s plan or discourage us from our set goal of liberating Akwa Ibom State. It may be the enemies’ plot to destabilise us through devastating occurrences. We must not allow the devil the pleasure of harvesting from our collective grief. We may have lost our very significant compatriots but we must trudge on nonetheless to glory. In fact, we owe it to the memory of Robert, Imo, Odey and many others to ensure that OBA becomes the next governor of Akwa Ibom state, in line with God’s plan and the worthy contributions of our fallen brethren.

” May I use this sombre moment to urge us to uphold one another in prayers without ceasing. Our Principal and the entire leadership of the Campaigns need our prayers. May God Almighty grant us the fortitude to bear these devastating and unnerving and unbearable losses!

“We certainly know that there is a bright light ahead of these ill occurrences. We therefore encourage all our teeming members and supporters to remain calm, resolute and prayerful as we sail through this period and beyond.

“As a mark of honour to these departed heroes of ours, the AkwaUbokAbasi Campaign Council shall suspend all activities henceforth for one week effective immediately till midnight of Friday October 14th, 2022. During this period, we are all enjoined to pray for the families of our departed brothers, friends and colleagues.

“By His grace, these afflictions shall never occur again, ” the statement concluded.