By Emmanuel Uffot
The governorship candidate of Young Progressives Party ( YPP) in Akwa Ibom State Senator Bassey Albert Akapn has pledged more Commitment to drive his gubernatorial ambition vigorously despite the setback of losing his younger brother and two aides.
The Senator popularly known as OBA, who represents Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial DIstrict made the pledge at the Solemn Assembly held in honour of his late brother Robert Akpan, his Chief of Protocol Imoh Isang and his police escort commander Inspector Linus Odey at his ultra- modern Recreational Centre at Ifa, Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Senator Akpan who spoke in glowing terms about his late brother and the two aides as being very close to him said their deaths in 24 hours interval shocked him to the extent that he almost had stroke as his blood rose to 286 over 140. He said he thank God for making it possible for him to survive the shock.
” That I am alive today in itself a testimony. My blood pressure rose to 286 over 140 when I got the news. But now I thank God, we are stronger than we were before”.
Drawing reference from the Book of Job, OBA said rather than the unfortunate incident to weaken him and cowed him, it has rather embolden him with more vigour, tenacity and commitment to drive forward his ambition to be the next governor of Akwa Ibom State come May 29, 2023.
He expressed gratitude to his party and the people that stood by him and the family either through visitations and condolences.
The YPP candidate said the trio left behind four children each, and he promised not to leave them behind. ” Imoh has been with me for 17 years. He was like a brother. He left behind four children, Robert left behind four children and Odey left behind four children. I have now added 12 children to my family. I promise not to leave any 9f them behind”.
Earlier at the event which was tagged ‘ Service of Songs’ Rev. Nyeneime Andy who is the State Chairman of the party reading from the Book of 1 Thessalonians 4: 13, 15 and 18 in a message titled “speaking about the living” urged all to have hope even in death and prayed God for comfort to the bereaved families and the party. ” When I heard of their departure, I said they have finished their works on earth. If it was not time, God would not have allowed it to happen. But as we pray, we shall not have any experience of death among us again”.
Similarly the Chairman of Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Council Sir Emem Akpabio, described the ordeal they went through during the week of the unfortunate incident as traumatic especially in the life of Senator Akpan for surviving the shock by the death of the departed three souls in 24 hours interval and assured that there will be victory at last.
” I assured you that the struggles our heroes died fir will not be in vain. We have overcome, come May 29, 2023, the struggles of all of you will not be in vain”.
Also speaking at the Solemn Assembly, the Director General of Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Council, the umbrella body driving Senator Bassey Akpan campaign Rev Sunny Ibuot, admonished people to look up to God for help since he remains the only one to help in times of distress.
The National Financial Secretary of YPP Ahmed Azeez who represented the National Chairman delivered the Party condolence message and urged the deceased families and the party in the state to take solace in the fact that there will be victory at the end.
The Ministers of God present at the occasion, Prophet David Udo Udo, General Overseer of the Apostolic Mount Olive Church and Pastor Otoabasi Effiong General Overseer of FULGA took the gathering in rounds of prayers and words of comfort.
The hall was enveloped with emotions when Representatives of the bereaved families spoke in turns.
Mr Atai Albert Akpan, Elder brother of Senator Akpan who spoke on behalf of the Albert family, paid glowing tributes to the three departed souls whom he said he said he had close relationships with.While describing them as fantastic fellows, he prayed God to grant their souls repose.
Emotion heightened when the first son of late Imoh Isang took to the rostrum to speak. He said his father’s death would smoothen the path of victory for Senator Akpan. A representative of the late police officer Odey also had a word at the event.
It could be recalled that on Thursday October 6, 2022, Robert Akpan, younger brother of the YPP governorship candidate who had been battling with kidney problem died of kidney complications. Barely 24 hours on Friday October 7, 2022, the Chief Protocol Officer of Senator Akpan, Imoh Isang and the escort commander Inspector Linus Odey were shot dead in Imo State by unknown gun men suspected to be members of IPOB.
Following the death of the the trio, the party had declared seven days of mourning and suspended campaign activities which culminated in the service of Songs held last Saturday October 15, 2022 to end the day’s of mourning.
It is significant to note that since news of the incident happened prominent people and politicians either visited or send condolences. First is Governor Emmanuel. The Governor whose condolence message was signed by his Chief Press Secretary Ekerete Udo said he was saddened by the death of Senator Albert sibling and aides and sent his deepest condolences on behalf of the government and people of the state and pray God to comfort him and the bereaved families in this period of mourning.
The former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, now Senatorial candidate for Ikot Ekpene Senatorial DIstrict Senator Godswill Akpabio, the APC governorship candidate Mr Akan Udofia and former Commissioner for Works and later Chief of Staff to the Governor, who is the YPP Senatorial candidate for Eket Senatorial DIstrict
Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-Eyen among others all sent their condolences to OBA.
One of the highpoint of the event was the decision of the bereaved Senator to hug all those that attended the Solemn Assembly as a mark of gratitude for their attendance.
Senator Albert Akpan use the occasion to announced that the suspended party campaigns will re- commence on Saturday October 22, 2022.
The Solemn Assembly was convene by Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Council, which is the campaign organisation of Senator Akpan on behalf of the party in Akwa Ibom.
