SHOCKER: OBA bounces back, as massive endorsement from groups boost Senate bid Contrary to insinuations from some quarters that Obong Bassey Albert popularly known as OBA is finished politically having pulled out of the 2015 Akwa Ibom Governorship race, his political camp swelled in quantum leap penultimate Monday, November 10, 2014 as three formidable political pressure groups met separately and pledged total and uncompromising support to OBA who they described as their leader to the end. It would be recalled that OBA who is the immediate past Finance Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State sent shock waves to all political watchers and his massive support has in the state, when he announced to his irrepressible supporters that, following consultations with and the intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan, he had in the interest of the peace and stability of the state resolved to pull out of the Guber race, which his party, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has zoned to the Eket Senatorial District. OBA informed his supporters that as a loyal party-man and a firm supporter of Mr. President’s re-election bid, he would remain in the PDP as defection was not an option he would consider. This development sparked rutted feelings in his camp as some detractors took to some print and online media to cast aspersions on and blackmail the charismatic and youthful OBA who enjoys an undisputed cult followership and broad based support in the state. However, indications have emerged that the claim by some pundits that OBA’s withdrawal from the race means he is finished politically may well be wrong reading of the true situation of things and reality. First, Atai Uyo Democratic Leaders forum after her emergency general meeting held on Saturday, September, 2014 to reappraise the development ended their meeting with a unanimous resolve to endorse unreservedly the decision taken by OBA to vie for the Uyo Senatorial District seat instead, and threw their total support behind his aspiration. It would be recalled that Atai Uyo Democratic Leaders comprising Youth Leaders from the four Local Government of Uyo, Uruan, Nsit and Ibesikpo Asutan was among the first groups that pressurized the former finance boss to resign and run for Governor, before he heeded their call. The National Chairman of Atai Uyo Democratic Leaders, Hon. Eteobong Etim in a chat with newsmen said the Group holds nothing against OBA for his withdrawal from the governorship race, maintaining that the reasons he has advanced for his pull-out from the race were convincing enough. He said that, rather than castigate OBA, the people should learn from his sacrifice, arguing that OBA has proven that politics is not a do-or-die affair and has shown promise of a man who can suspend personal interest for the collective good. He charged the people who believe in OBA to follow him wherever he goes, as that is a mark of true leadership. In a communiqué released after the enlarged meeting and leaked to our newsroom, Atai Uyo Democratic Leaders, stated that OBA will never walk alone and called for support to enable him represent Uyo at the National Assembly as Senator. Not left out in the scramble to pledge support for OBA’s Senate bid is the Uyio Mkparawa Uyo Senatorial District, a socio-cultural political group under the leadership of Akparawa Samuel An. Rising from their meeting in Uyo, the group in a communiqué endorsed by the President Akparawa Akpan, and Secretary, Enobong Etim described as unfounded and baseless, all the rumours purporting that OBA sold out to Governor Akpabio. Describing OBA as a statesman and a patriot who only yielded to reasoning, Akparawa Akpan said unequivocally that, it is OBA all the way for him and his group d that, whatever course OBA chooses to follow, they will be there for him, he called on all to support his Senate bid maintaining that OBA will surely emerge the next Senator for Uyo come 2015. Another Group, Itu/Ibiono Ibom Youth Democratic Movement came out strongly in support of OBA for Senate. After a consultative meeting held at Okoita, the Group in a press statement made available by our newsroom and signed by the Secretary, Akparawa Ebong Ekong, the Itu/Ibiono Ibom Youth Democratic movement flayed the negative media reports targeted at OBA and purporting that he has lost grip of his support base. The group stated that, this was the antics of political opponents who fear the intimidating an unrivalled support base of OBA and were out to incite the people with misleading information. The Group saluted what they described as OBA’s show of rare humility and courage in the face of political challenges and for Governor Akpabio to succeed. The group reiterated their unwavering support for OBA’s next political move and directed all her members and the entire youths of Itu and Ibiono Ibom in particular, and Uyo Senatorial District as a whole to rally round OBA’s Senate quest and ensure, OBA as a shining light among youths gets the coveted seat. In a related development, the Etinan Federal Constituency Consolidation Movement has joined forces in drumming support for OBA’s Senate interest. The Leaders of the group, Hon. Inemesit Ubokudom, who spoke to our correspondent after the meeting of the group in Uyo on Monday November 10, 2014, said, after their examination of the current political trends, they totally accepted the decision of their principal to withdraw from the governorship race in good faith. He said, their joy is however reinforced because OBA has opted to go to the Senate where Hon Ubokudom argues, he can still impact massively on the people of Uyo Senatorial District given his large heart of benevolence and charity. Hon Ubokudom said his group have resolved to start a mass sensitization campaign across the 9 Local Government in Uyo Senatorial District to mobilize support for OBA and educate people on the wisdom of his decision and the need to respect that decision. He restated the total dedication of the group to support OBA all the way, and pledged that the campaign of calumny against OBA by a few detractors will not succeed as the people believe in OBA. Our reporters investigating these developments reveal that, OBA’s Senate bid is gathering a wave of new momentum by the day. Source: The Analyst
Posted on: Sat, 15 Nov 2014 19:15:01 +0000