OBA 2023: Do you still believe it’s possible?
“If you believe in a cause, you must be willing to put yourself on the line for that cause.” -Adam Clayton
The December 1st, 2022, conviction of Senator Bassey Albert Akpan by a Federal High Court 1 sitting in Uyo presided over by Justice Agatha Okeke seems to have has dealt a near fatal blow on the possibility of the 2023 governorship ambition of the Young Progressive Party, YPP, flag-bearer. But his diehard supporters insist there is no going back.
By Moses Tom
A new slogan has emerged in Akwa Ibom among the supporters and Believers of the 2023 governorship ambition of Obong Bassey Albert nicknamed OBA. It goes; OBA 2023, believe it’s possible. Believe it’s possible, THAT SAME GOD…
Obong Bassey Albert Akpan, the Senator representing Akwa Ibom North East (Uyo) Senatorial District, has become an enigma in the politics of Akwa Ibom, and his name rings a bell. What has become OBA 2023 dates back beyond 2015 when he threw his hat into the ring to challenge the incumbent governor, Udom Emmanuel, a neophyte in the then politics of the oil-rich state.
But OBA has continued to insist he was prevailed upon to stand down his ambition for the sake of equity. The arrangement was that, given his popularity, OBA would win the 2015 governorship race if he was allowed to contest, thereby scuttling the power shift arrangement to Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District. So the then governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who reportedly midwived the deal, would not gamble at all.
To concede that chance was not to bury the ambition. In fact, Obong Bassey Albert Akpan and his supporters maintain that the 2015 Pack included a gentleman agreement for OBA to take a turn when Governor Udom Emmanuel finishes his two-term tenure in 2023. That kept the ambition alive.
OBA 2023: When ambition becomes a cause
The 2023 governorship ambition of Obong Bassey Albert has gone beyond an ambition. To many, it is for a good cause, implying that it is worthwhile to do for the benefit of the new generation. OBA 2023 governorship ambition is now a belief and those who insist on it, against all odds, are “The Believers”.
Temporary Setback?
Justice Agatha Okeke’s 42-year-prison term slammed on Senator Bassey Albert has tended to cast a serious doubt on the OBA 2023 governorship ambition and all hope appears to be lost. But to his diehard supporters, there is no going back.
One of OBA’s ardent supporters, Imo Udoima, a publisher, captured the mood of “The Believers” after the court ruling in an article entitled “So, OBA is truly a threat to PDP!”
“The anxiety, disappointment and pain were seen on the faces of people especially the youth, civil servants and political class who believe the PDP Governorship candidate, Pastor Umo Eno does not represent their future in anyway. Tension was high, emotions were almost uncontrollable, even those who never had close contact with Senator Bassey Albert sighed in regret and as they explained, OBA is their only hope.
“I didn’t understand the enormity of OBA’s popularity and the love people have for him, until Justice Agatha Okeke passed judgment against him. From the quiet hinterlands to the boisterous city of Uyo and Eket, the city of incomplete government projects, calls came in from people to confirm whether OBA has been sentenced as bandied on the social media.”
Frankly speaking, spirits were down and one can see disbelief on the faces of “The Believers” across the state. Some could not help but resort to political jokes to lift up supporters’ spirit and raise hope.
“News” started filtering in on the social media that President Muhammadu Buhari had demanded unconditional release of Senator Bassey Albert.
Some even claimed he had since returned to his Uyo residence and has been throwing money on whoever cares to come and celebrate his release.
But the real deal was Da Zion Umoh’s report that Senator Bassey Albert had ordered for 250 beds for 250 inmates sleeping on the floor, and offered to pay the sum of 2.5 million naira for the release of many inmates held in Ikot Ekpene Prison on fines they couldn’t afford to pay.
“Da Zion, I have never rested the way I am resting here. When I went jogging this morning, I realised that hundreds of Akwa Ibomites that are being held here are without the least thing as beds which I think that the State Government should’ve done this but I was shocked that these people are sleeping on the floor.
“I have ordered 250 Beds for 250 State Inmates and I have also offered to release the sum of 2.5 Million Naira to pay the fines for those that are being held here on fines they couldn’t afford and they should be release any moment from now,” OBA reportedly said.
He was said to have admonished his supporters to be strong, stating that he will be out very soon.
The possibility of the 2023 governorship ambition of Senator Bassey Albert does not only rest on your shoulders but also depends on your peaceful disposition before, during and after the election.
One cyber surfer, who reacted to the development,was quoted as saying that:”OBA went to cell for a reason. 250 beds for inmates, they are lucky and blessed. One thing I love about OBA, he is a giver any time, any day”.
The import of this is that even in prison OBA is scoring political point and his supporters are taking advantage of it. Although his opponents would describe it as cheap, such antics have helped sustain the hope of his supporters of the possibility of OBA 2023 governorship ambition.
Despite the negative image the conviction has branded on the 2023 governorship ambition of Senator Bassey Albert and attempts by some to degradingly brand him OBA of Ikot Ekpene Prison, “The Believers” have been making acknowledgeable moves to create positivism out of their principal’s incarceration.
To them, Senator Bassey Albert remains OBA of Africa and there have been several attempts to compare him to the legendary Nelson Mandela of South Africa, who underwent a Long Walk from Prison to Presidency.
From Political Prisoner to Hilltop Mansion?
OBA’s imprisonment has also reminded his backers of some Nigerian politicians who won elections while in incarceration, top among them being Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji of Abia State in 2007 and Senator Omisore of Osun State in 2003.
Consequently, a group comprises Akwa Ibom indigenes from different professions under the aegis of Akwa Ibom League of Professionals has pointed out that there is no going back in their support for the governorship ambition of Senator Bassey Albert, insisting that his conviction was politically motivated to stop him from winning the 2023 governorship election.
“Stand up for that cause”
The Believers will strongly relate to this sentiment by Otis Johnson:
The fiery zeal and enthusiasm among supporters of Obong Bassey Albert is quite commendable. Such faith and loyalty is rare in our political clime where betrayal is commonplace. Even without striking their political shepherd the sheep will scatter and pitch tents with opponents.
There are speculations that the main purpose of OBA’S incarceration is to enable PDP to harvest his key supporters.
There is so much to learn from this but there is need to be careful not to throw caution into the wind.
The anxiety, high tension, and a near uncontrollable emotions witnessed in the wake of OBA’s conviction have become a source of worry to keen observers. If at this time people are almost unable to control their emotions, how will they fare during election proper?
Maturity is necessary in times like these. Let this fact not escape your memory: The possibility of the 2023 governorship ambition of Senator Bassey Albert does not only rest on your shoulders but also depends on your peaceful disposition before, during and after the election.
Second, there is greater need to keep communication open. Those in charge of communication and strategy should take note. On no account should people be forced to rely on rumors and grapevine for information on the situation on ground.
Particularly more worrisome is how easily it was to deceive many through misinformation. The curiosity that trailed the purported directive by President Muhammadu Buhari to release OBA unconditionally was an eye opener.
The possibility of the 2023 governorship ambition of Senator Bassey Albert rests on your peaceful disposition.
