By Odo Ogenyi, Uyo
The governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party(YPP), Senator Bassey Akpan has described his recent travails as God’s will and would hold “no grudge against anybody on that sad and despicable act”.
Akpan, who is the Senate Committee Chairman on Petroleum Resoiurces, (downstream) in a new year message to his supporters Sunday in Uyo also commended Akwa Ibom people for standing by him while he was detained at the Ikot Ekpene Correctional Centre.
He said his quest to ensure an equitable access to the wealth of the state remained on course despite attempts by the opposition to discourage him and distabilize his campaigns.
“May I therefore use this opportunity, to thank the great people of Akwa Ibom State and indeed other well meaning Nigerians – men, women, youths and children who prayed ceaselessly and tirelessly for God’s divine intervention and who in their unquantifiable numbers, thronged the Ikot Ekpene Correctional Centre on Thursday, December 29, 2022.
“Others lined the routes to Uyo as well as assembled at Senator Bassey Albert Multi-purpose Recreational Centre, Ifa Ikot Akpan, along Airport Way, to welcome me after my release. That massive reception will ever remain unforgettable and indelible in our hearts.
“In the light of the above, I wish to state that we hold no grudge against anybody on that sad and despicable act. Rather, we see the episode as a watershed experience in the journey towards giving Akwa Ibom State the needed rebirth – in all ramifications.
“At this point, we wish to echo the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson that “Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.” Like other great leaders who experienced such trials, we count it as a necessary price we had to pay for the emancipation of our people.” He said.
His mandate, he maintained would still be anchored on RECOVER Akwa Ibom; to truly RECONCILE Akwa Ibom to God, and to REPOSITION Akwa Ibom for imminent greatness Akpan said remained sacrosanct.
“We premised the base for our economic blueprint on five strategic pillars namely Agriculture and Rural Development; Education, Health and Social Services; Economic Prosperity and Infrastructure; Security, Environment and Tourism; and Administrative Reforms and Completion of Projects.
“We therefore restate that our policies ingeniously crafted, remain the best for Akwa Ibom State. We will follow their implementation holistically.
“Consequently, as we berth into the year 2023, we have to be fully conscious and prepared that the election year we all yearned for is finally here! The elections which is in February and March offer us all the decisive moments to change the course of our history by voting for me as Governor of Akwa Ibom State as well as for all the candidates of the Young Progressives Party (YPP).
“Let us take it as our time to arise and shine. We must not falter no matter the amount of financial enticement, intimidation and false promises. If a regime cannot prove its worth in 8 years, it has no locus standi to seek a renewal of mandate through a surrogate.” He concluded.
