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OBA: GOD’S FAITHFULNESS AND THE BLESSINGS OF A MANDATE

Amos ETUK

July 6, 2018 marked yet another milestone for Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, Distinguished Senator representing Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District as the Apex Court in Nigeria, the Supreme Court upheld the ruling of the Appeal Court in a case instituted by Honourable Bassey Etim falsely claiming he was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party during the nomination process ahead of the last general elections.

The Supreme Court victory for Senator Bassey Albert Akpan has finally settled a litigation spanning almost three years and the outcome is a steadfast proof of God’s faithfulness upon him and his commitment to sustain his sterling service to his people. Suffice it to state that the distractions were needless, but God knew better.

One outstanding feature all through this trial has been the glaring fact that Senator Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA) has kept his faith in God to see him through emphasising that his mandate was overwhelmingly given to him by the people under a credible process and despite the distractions, he has sustained and even raised the bar of effective representation to his Senatorial District.

OBA’s unwavering support to Governor Udom Emmanuel and the Peoples Democratic Party during this period has been overwhelming as he remains a loyal party leader and stakeholder in the second term success story of the dynamic and performing Governor.

As expected, the ruling of the Supreme Court evoked a lot of emotions across Akwa Ibom State as hearts were filled with joy, prayers offered in thanksgiving and chants of victory songs all over the country.

Indeed, a new chapter consolidates the strength of this leader whose passion to serve his people remains on course with a resounding faith that all glory belongs to God for the victory and that a new phase of representation begins with his continuity at the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2019.

Beyond the Supreme Court victory, the road to the second term of Distinguished Senator Bassey Albert Akpan has begun as stakeholders continue to identify with his leadership strides and capacity to lead his people with more legislative qualities.

The journey in the Senate in the last three years for OBA has been fulfilling with a firm focus on human empowerment and capacity building as well as setting new standards in the legislature in effective representation.

On April 20, 2018 in a historic Constituency Briefing and Empowerment Programme tagged ‘’ God’s Faithfulness’’ Senator Bassey Albert Akpan presented his score card to his people and touched many lives with items given to enhance their welfare at the Uyo Township Stadium.

The event which attracted stakeholders including Distinguished Senators from the National Assembly who came in solidarity to identify with one of their own who has been exemplary including the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Governor Udom Emmanuel, Speaker Onofiok Luke and other stakeholders and party chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party from the national and Akwa Ibom State once again saw the re-affirmation of an earlier endorsement for OBA to the admiration of well wishers and supporters who thronged the venue in their thousands.

For the records, items distributed during the Constituency Briefing /Empowerment Programme were 30cars, 20 mini buses, 20 Block Moulding machines, 46 Tricylcles,1 5 KVA Generator, 40 2.5 KVA Generators, 1 Baking Oven , 9 Cassava Grating Machines, 1 computer set and 70 Grinding Machines.

Other items distributed to beneficiaries were 160 Sewing Machines, 40 Motorcycles, 8, Grass cutting Machines, 20 Hair Dressing Equipment/Generators and accessories. In addition to these includes a scholarship programme for 180 Students drawn from the nine Local Government Areas which make up Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District in the fields of medicine, pharmacy , engineering and other courses in Tertiary Institutions across the country, a football completion for youths in the area, the very first of its kind, sterling legislative contributions , a Constituency Hall given free of charge to members of the public to use, another first and the facilitation of opportunities to Constituents in various agencies and establishment among other milestones.

The reception accorded OBA a day after the Supreme Court verdict further confirms that he remains the choice of the people as elders of the ruling party, the women and youths gathered in Uyo to celebrate the feat.

Stakeholders who spoke including Prince Enobong Uwah who was the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee for the Constituency Briefing and Empowerment Programme and Chairman, Uyo Capital City Development Authority re-affirmed the support of the nine Local Government Areas to ensure his second term ticket.

The State Chairman of the party , Obong Paul Ekpo who was in attendance was all smiles at the event as all nine Chapter Chairmen that constitute Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District were present and gave their unflinching support to OBA’s second term.

The campaign manager for the 2019 Project and Executive Chairman of Uyo Local Government Area, Hon.(Elder) Imoh Okon re-stated that the race for OBA’s second term had started and God had charted the new foundation to consolidate on his strides.

Senators Anietie Okon and Effiong Dickson Bob, two revered elders from the Senatorial District were also present and thanked God for His grace and preservation of the victory of the mandate for OBA at the Supreme Court.

The Special Thanksgiving Service the next day Sunday, July 8, 2018 in Uyo witnessed an unprecedented array of stakeholders even beyond the senatorial district boundaries who all came to celebrate God’s faithfulness upon OBA.

In his thanksgiving, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan said the experience all through the three years clearly re-affirmed his faith in God who gave him the victory as he had forgiven his enemies. He sang in praises glorifying God for sustaining the mandate of Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District.

That thanksgiving service set the tone for the next chapter of a political colossus to lead his people into the next level of effective representation at the National Assembly as his 2019 re-election bid remains unshaken.

In the words of Obong Bassey Albert who quoted from the scriptures in the Bible, in the book of Philippians 4: 6-7 ‘’ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God’’, a thanksgiving that has raised the bar for Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District to consolidate with the quintessential leadership of the Distinguished Senator and the his next mandate from the people.

As a people blessed by God, we should imbibe the spirit of love to support our leaders. Working in unity fosters prosperity and the people must always have a steadfast faith that success can be achieved when we work to fulfil set targets of our leaders.

For now, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan represents Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District and the people have found in him a leader who will lead the area beyond 2019. It can only definitely be bigger and better. This is the history that beckons on the people. Surely, God is involved.

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