2023 guber: Bassey Albert draws battle line with Governor Udom Emmanuel, decries injustice
Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, who represents Uyo Senatorial District in the National Assemby, has declined the job of adviser in the Maintain Peace Movement ahead of the state’s governorship race in 2023.
Senator Bassey Albert, has stopped the group from a planned announcement of his appointment as one of MPM’s advisers in Ibiono Ibom.
“Let me say here, do not announce me as adviser. If I am not in the inner circle, do not announce me as adviser”, OBA said while giving a speech during the inauguration of the Ibiono Ibom Chapter of the group in Okoita on Thursday.OBA is the highest political office holder in Ibiono Ibom. By virtue of his office, his political loyalists had expected he should be the natural leader of the Ibiono Ibom chapter of the group. He was also neither included as secretary or member of the group.
It was gathered that Bassey Albert was included as one of the advisers. The adviser position in the group is largely seen as redundant and ceremonial.
Morenews.ng also learnt from some sources in government that big names in politics who could not be accommodated in the decision making cabal because their divergent political interest are usually relegated and “compensated” with the adviser role
In Ibiono Ibom, OBA has the highest political office. His political supporters believed him to be the natural leader of the group’s Ibiono Ibom chapter because of his position. He was also not included in the group as a secretary or a member.
Bassey Albert, according to reports, was one of the advisers. The role of adviser in the organization is primarily considered ceremonial and redundant.
Morenews.ng also learned from government sources that significant names in politics who are unable to be accommodated in the decision-making cabal due to their differing political interests are usually assigned to the adviser role and “paid.”
Most governorship aspirants who are not preferred by the governor are either members or advisers in respective LGAs. Pastor Umo Eno is the only Governorship candidate who has been appointed Chairman of his LGA’s Coordinating Committee. The governor’s favoured candidate right now is Umo Eno of Nsit Ubium, according to reports.
The two-term senator further stated that the governorship in 2023 should be micro-zoned to the Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency for the sake of equity and justice.
The Chairman, senate Committee on Petroleum Upstream, said, he loves the governor just as every other member of the party and had demonstrated this love by dropping his gubernatorial ambition in 2014 to support the governor.
Bassey Albert stated that he stepped down to support Governor Emmanuel’s aspiration in 2014 and 2019 because of his believe in justice, equity and peace to reign in the polity stressing that he does deserve to be treated unfairly after all his sacrifices to the governor.
“We can all sit down here and discuss how we can establish a lasting peace that is based on justice and equity. Barr Enoidem preached this sermon to me in 2014, and Senator Akon Eyakenyi preached this message to me in 2014. Have we lost our ability to speak?” he noted.
“For the sake of peace, we should bury these feelings of blackmail and conspiracy. The Governor is a devout Christian. As governor’s advisers, as we all are (pointing to those at the head table), I have a direct line to the governor; I spoke with him yesterday; we must understand that we will be held accountable for our leadership at some point. I am here because I agree with the sentiments of this group (MPM). But no (MPM) cap has been granted to me. I was well aware that I would not be given. I’m glad we all know we’re praying to the same God, and that He will deliver justice because He is a just God. He will ensure that the people of Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency are treated fairly,” OBA stressed.
“I am speaking the mind of Ini Ememobong , I am speaking the mind of Akan Okon, I am speaking the mind of the chairman of Itu, I am speaking the mind of Dr. Henry Archibong, I am speaking the mind of Dr. (Iniobong) Essien that it is the turn of Itu/Ibiono Ibom to produce the next governor.
Governor Emmanuel has sanctioned the Maintain Peace Movement, formerly known as the Peace Maintenance Movement, to build a political structure with the goal of creating a successor by 2023. At a recent meeting with all of his appointees, the Governor stated that he is the group’s grand patron.
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