ADVERTISEMENT
  • The Membership Club
  • PT Hausa
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Premium Times Nigeria
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
Premium Times Nigeria
BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
I don’t need Akpabio’s endorsement to contest guber election – Ex-Commissioner

I don’t need Akpabio’s endorsement to contest guber election – Ex-Commissioner

byIbanga Isine
October 29, 2014
2 min read

A former Commissioner for Finance in Akwa Ibom State, and former ally of Governor Godswill Akpabio, has said he does not need Mr. Akpabio’s endorsement to contest the governorship election in the state.

Bassey Akpan said Wednesday he needs the endorsement of Akwa Ibom people who he said massively supported Mr. Akpabio to emerge as governor in 2007 even when the odds were against him.

Mr. Akpan said, “I don’t think I need the governor’s endorsement. I need the endorsement of the Akwa Ibom people.”

The former finance commissioner, who was fielding questions from PREMIUM TIMES in Abuja said while Mr. Akpabio failed to get the endorsement of the then Governor, Victor Attah, the people stood firm and ensured he won not only the nomination but the governorship election.

“In 2006, the people of Akwa Ibom State stood for hours and days to bring Governor Akpabio to office despite the fact that the incumbent at that time had preference to a particular candidate,” Mr. Akpan said.

“As a human being, the governor has the right to support an aspirant but what we are asking for is that the people should have the liberty to decide who they want.

“My prayer is that the God that did it for Godswill Akpabio in 2006 despite the fact that Governor Attah preferred Udoma Ekarika will do it for Obong Bassey come 2015.”

In order to move the state to the next level, Mr. Akpan insisted that Akwa Ibom State requires a governor with high level of integrity, intellect, strong values and experience.

Having served as finance commissioner and head of the state’s economic team for seven years, the former banker said he has what it takes to bring sustainable development to Akwa Ibom State.

RelatedNews

No crisis in South-West PDP – Senator

Assembly denies impeachment plot against Bayelsa Gov

Ondo Governorship: Court dismisses another suit challenging Akeredolu’s re-election

Alleged Certificate Forgery: APC, Obaseki prepare final arguments

He, however, lamented the increasing level of poverty and tribalism in the state, noting that unless these were properly tackled, it would be difficult for any meaningful development to be achieved in the state.

Mr. Bassey said Governor Akpabio has achieved so much for Akwa Ibom State during the last seven years, adding that since he was part of the administration, it was not possible for him to criticize it.

“Whether you like it or not, Godswill Akpabio has done well. Don’t ask me at what cost. I want to say that he has done very well and I have been a part of that system.

Dangote adbanner 728x90_2 (1)

“I might not be in the best position to criticize the system but I am in the best position to move the system to the next level,” Mr. Akpan said.

Mr. Akpan said he is a unifying force and would work with others in the state to bring the people together.

“Never in the history of Akwa Ibom have we witnessed this level of ethnicity and tribalism in politics,” said Mr. Akpan.

“I had thought that Governor Akpabio’s election in 2007 exterminated tribalism and ethnicity because there was no way an Ibibio man like me could have become the commissioner for finance to an Anang governor.

Unfortunately, due to the politics of transition, we have virtually resorted to tribalism in a greater dimension.

“But I see myself as that central force of unity in the state because I am loved and accepted to the man in Oron, Anang and everywhere.

ADVERTISEMENT

“My prayer is for God to give us a governor who would further unite the state because without unity we cannot grow and without growth, one cannot say there is development.

“This is my opportunity and I am here. I will be declaring by next week Thursday where we will formally tell Akwa Ibom populace what we intend to do for them,” Mr. Akpan said.

He called on the national leadership of the PDP to provide a level-playing field for all those interested in contesting its primaries, saying that only through free and fair primaries will competent persons emerge.

  • WhatsApp
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print
  • Telegram
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket

Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility

Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.

For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.

By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.

Donate


TEXT AD: To advertise here . Call Willie +2347088095401...


JOIN THE CONVERSATION

  • Disqus (1)
premiumtimes



PT Mag Campaign AD

Previous Post

Court adjourns hearing on NFF crisis

Next Post

Stockbrokers conference to focus on Nigeria’s entertainment industry

Ibanga Isine

Ibanga Isine

More News

Senator Nicholas Tofowomo. [PHOTO CREDIT: Official Facebook page of Nicholas Tofowomo]

No crisis in South-West PDP – Senator

January 20, 2021
FILE PHOTO: Pictures of the Abandoned building in Federal Secretariats.

FCTA decries rate of abandoned buildings in Abuja

January 20, 2021
Lagos State Isolation centre Onikan [PHOTO CREDIT: The Africa Report.com]

COVID-19: Lagos conducts nearly 264, 000 tests — Commissioner

January 20, 2021
Youth during NDE training session in Kano

NDE training 880 youth in Kano on open apprenticeship

January 20, 2021
Water pumps

Kano distributes 5,000 water pumps to farmers

January 20, 2021
Deeper Life High School Logo

Deeper Life School: Court commences trial behind closed-door

January 20, 2021
Next Post
Stockbrokers conference to focus on Nigeria’s entertainment industry

Stockbrokers conference to focus on Nigeria's entertainment industry

INVESTIGATION: Nigerian embassy in U.S. wastes N100 million on frivolous PR contracts

INVESTIGATION: Nigerian embassy in U.S. wastes N100 million on frivolous PR contracts

Discussion about this post

Search

#EndSARS: Latest Updates




Polaris Bank


JAIZ Ad


NITDA Ad




Advertisement






netherland biz school Advert

Zenith Advert

Heritage Advert
ADVERTISEMENT

Our Digital Network

  • PT Hausa
  • Election Centre
  • Human Trafficking Investigation
  • Centre for Investigative Journalism
  • National Conference
  • Press Attack Tracker
  • PT Academy
  • Dubawa
  • LeaksNG
  • Campus Reporter

Resources

  • Oil & Gas Facts
  • List of Universities in Nigeria
  • LIST: Federal Unity Colleges in Nigeria
  • NYSC Orientation Camps Address Nationwide
  • Nigeria’s Federal/States’ Budgets since 2005
  • Malabu Scandal Thread
  • World Cup 2018
  • Panama Papers Game
  • Our Digital Network
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Projects
  • Data & Infographics
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • Parliament Watch
    • AGAHRIN
  • Opinion
  • PT Hausa
  • The Membership Club
  • Dubawa
    • Dubawa NG
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Store
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

Our website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.