… we won’t compromise our senate ticket for Akpabio
A former Commissioner in the state, Arc. Okon Obot who is also the leader of the apex socio-political group known as Abak 5 Development Assembly (ADA) has risen to refute what he called “false report in some sections of the media” to the effect that Abak 5 which comprises Abak, Etim Ekpo, Ika, Ukanafun and Oruk Anam local government areas have endorsed a governorship candidate for 2015 gubernatorial election.
Addressing newsmen in Uyo, Arc. Obot who could not hide his displeasure at the way the Abak 5 section of the Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district have been treated in the political arrangement and sharing said Abak 5 will, after due consultation and negotiation with those aspiring for the top job take a decision as to which horse to back, adding that only the aspirant whose manifesto guarantees the protection of the interest of the Abak 5 people will be supported.
Arc Obot who initiated the development of the popular Shelter Afrique Estate in Uyo during Obong Attah’s tenure as governor said ADA is an assembly of all real, patriotic, truthful and sincere politicians from the five local government areas making up the Abak 5 Division who are also passionate about seeing a change from the present marginalized position of the area to that of relevance.
He lamented that the political sacrifices that the area had made since 2007 when they should have produced a senator for the senatorial district have not been appreciated.
The ADA helmsman recounted that after conceding the 2007 chance at the senate to Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, they were again prevailed upon by Governor Akpabio to allow Dr Aloysius Etok do a second term to guarantee his (the governor’s) re-election in 2011 with a promise that in 2015 it would be the turn of the Abak 5, maintaining that they were taken aback by the governor’s turning around to aspire for the senate when he is not from the Abak 5 axis.
He further recalled with dismay that in 1983 when Chief Donal Etiebiet was governor in the old Cross River State, one Chief Mathew Udo Ekpo from Etim Ekpo local government area was supposed to be senator but the chance was relinquished to the Ikot Ekpene axis in the spirit of Annang brotherhood when one of Akpabio’s uncles Nsima Akpabio became senator.
The ADA leader said enough was enough of the antics and political robberies of the Ikot Ekpene brothers, adding that they were going to take their turn in 2015, come what may. He said when the time comes for a governorship candidate to be endorsed by the Abak 5, it would be an open event to which the media will be invited, stressing that for now the Abak 5 are following the directive of the National Working Committee of the PDP which has directed governors to ensure a level playing field for all interest groups in all the states and will not endorse any aspirant in line with the directive.
The erudite politician therefore called on the media to jettison any rumour about endorsement of a guber aspirant.
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