By Essien OKON
The assumed larger than life constituency briefing and empowerment by the Senator representing Uyo Senatorial District, Obong Bassey Albert Akpan, fondly called OBA, may have come and gone, the ordeals that it brought have been described as bad omen.
The latest is the fatal damage of the gift, a Blue 2010 BMW X6 Mini SUV, to his Campaign Director General and Chairman of Uyo Local Government Council, Elder Imoh Okon.
The fatal damage, caused by an accident that occurred at about 1.am of Tuesday along IBB Way, Uyo, suggested karma on OBA “since bulk of those who championed his electioneering in 2015 were allegedly dumped by him. The likes of Hon. Archibong Inyang, his DG in 2015, did not make the purported empowerment list and many others.”
A member of Archibong Inyang’s family who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity expressed total regret, saying “OBA did not tell my brother about the event nor invited him or any member of Archibong Inyang’s family to the event.”
Also speaking, a chieftain, who also doubled as a beneficiary, said the “gifts from OBA have brought us more evil than good. My cousin got a generating set from OBA as empowerment. It got burnt that same evening when he tried to test run it.”
“He visited the state Chapter of NUJ, the place was burgled within 24 hours and items worth millions of Naira were carted away. Is there any sign of good in OBA? Do we need soothsayer to tell us that OBA is a bad omen to Uyo Senatorial District and its people,” the chieftain said.
Reacting to the development, the Special Assistant to the Senator, Mr. Ani Michael, through a statement, said “Let us start by saying that the constituency briefing and empowerment programme by Distinguished Senator Bassey Albert (OBA) was record setting. That it is unfortunate Elder Imoh Okon, Chairman Uyo Local Government area was involved in an auto crash but the good news is that he is picking up health wise. Distinguished Senator Albert vintage him has identified with the Uyo Council Chair and his DG for 2019 Senatorial campaigns while praying for his quick recovery.”
“It is not true that Mr Inyang was not carried along in the plans for the constituency briefing or not in the know of the constituency briefing at least l announced his name (Inyang) alongside other members in the media/ Publicity committee on a radio programme l anchor on Comfort 95.1Fm and the list is available for anyone to see. If the Mr Inyang decided to be far from the programme for personal reasons, we wonder why that should be everybody’s headache. Please be guided,” the statement concluded.
