ETIM EFFIONG
Senator Albert Akpan, representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly has declared his intention to run for governor of Akwa Ibom State.
Akpan, who is the Senate Committee Chairman, Petroleum (Upstream), made the declaration on Monday in Uyo to the Chairman and leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Aniekan Akpan during a consultative visit to the party executive.
Speaking to an enlarged exco of the party amidst a crowd of supporters, well-wishers, and party faithful at the State PDP Secretariat, Akpan urged leaders of the party to ensure a level playing field for all the aspirants in the contest as a way of rewarding loyalty.
He stated confidently that if the party remains neutral in coordinating the primaries, he will win the primaries and the elections with a landslide.
He commended the party Chairman, Akpan, for his comments and actions, saying it has kept the party steady, adding that the leadership of the party has tackled the growing concern of party objectivity in the state.
“I urge the leaders of the party to, as a way of rewarding loyalty, ensure a level playing field for all the aspirants in the governorship contest.
“If the party will remain neutral in coordinating the primaries, I will win landslide to the glory of God and the state PDP.
“I want to thank the party chairman, Hon Aniekan Akpan, for steadying the party by his recent comments and actions.
There was a time there was a growing concern in the state over the objectivity of the party but to the glory of God, the leadership eventually arrested the situation,” he stated.
The senator debunked claims that he was at loggerheads with Governor Udom Emmanuel, insisting that his love for the governor remains intact, and was demonstrated when he stepped down in 2014 to pave way for Emmanuel’s emergence as governor.
He explained that he showed the same love in 2019 when he remained the only senator who stood by the governor for a second term after the others decamped to APC.
Speaking on his achievements, Akpan mentioned that he personally intervened when some Akwa Ibom citizens were victimised in their places of work.
He revealed that he has sponsored about 426 students on scholarship who were also placed on monthly stipends, out of which 21 of them graduated with first-class honours.
In his response, the State party Chairman, Mr Aniekan Akpan, commended Senator Akpan for being an effective representation in the senate.
He said the PDP in Akwa Ibom is one united family and promised a level playing field for all aspirants, which
involves a proper organisation of voting arrangements without interference which will eventually produce a winner.
Aniekan Akpan then advised that as Akpan’s campaign starts officially, it should be done with love and pleasantries.
He advised the senator to carry out his campaign with love, focus, grace, and discuss issues, stating that the party is open for all.