The representative of Ikot Ekpene senatorial district and former deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Christopher Ekpenyong, has supported the 2023 governorship ambition of Mr. Bassey Akpan.
Akpan, also known as OBA, represents Akwa Ibom northeast senatorial district.
Recall that the state governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel had last month, at a stakeholders’ meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Uyo announced the commissioner for lands and water resources, Mr. Umoh Enoh as his successor in 2023 and presented him to the party for adoption and support.
However, Ekpenyong who received Akpan in his country home in Obot Akara local government area last Saturday said he (Ekpenyong) got a revelation that Akpan would be the best for the state.
He eulogised the aspirant and his achievements both as a senator and former commissioner of finance.
“I don’t know what others are saying and what they heard. All I know is that God has told me that Senator Akpan is the best governorship aspirant for Akwa Ibom at this time.
Akpan has the experience and the connection. With him, we can go to bed and sleep,” Ekpenyong said.
He said within the period he worked with the aspirant in the senate, he (Akpan) has “been a pride to Akwa Ibom and Nigeria.
He added that Akpan has always been a peaceful and humble person, who accords him (Ekpenyong) due respect even in the senate, not minding that he (Akpan), is a ranking senator.
Ekpenyong, who said nobody can intimidate him to accept what is not good for his people, added that they want a governor who knows the state’s peculiar problems and has the wide contacts to deploy for the solutions.
Earlier, Akpan had informed Ekpenyong of his interest in the governorship race saying his aspiration will leverage on God, his experience, connection with the people and knowledge of their particular challenges to serve Akwa Ibom better when elected.
“The welfare of youths is very paramount towards sustaining the peace for the development of the state. Leveraging the gains of the past administrations will provide a veritable ground for us to address youth unemployment by generating a resourceful data bank to identify the gaps and core issues limiting the development of our youths to enable them to become self-reliant,” he said.
He said he had tailored a development roadmap that will enable him, when elected, to solve local problems with local solutions.
