By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Activities from the Raffia City of Ikot Ekpene to Uyo, the state capital, came to a halt for hours on Thursday December 29, 2022, as thousands of supporters of Senator Bassey Albert Akpan aka OBA, lined both sides of the road in ecstatic reception as the Senator returned home on bail from the Correctional Centre.
Recall OBA, who is the 2023 governorship candidate of Young Progressives Party (YPP) in the state, was sentenced to seven years imprisonment at the Correctional Centre in Ikot Ekpene on December 1, 2022 by Justice Agatha Okeke of Federal High Court, Uyo on a-six Count Charge including money laundering levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He was granted bail by an Appeal Court sitting in Port Harcourt, but a normal journey of about 45 minutes turned to over five hours from Ikot Ekpene to Uyo, because of the unprecedented length of the convoy.
The event witnessed a gridlock and near stampede from even the Correctional facility as men of the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Police and Crowd Control Personnel, had a tough time directing the unprecedented crowd.
At the Ikot Ekpene Plaza, the heart of Ikot Ekpene, it became a total lockdown for about 20 minutes, as leaves-wielding admirers besieged there to greet him.
Another crowd of excited leaves-welding crowd formed a major gridlock at the popular Itak Junction, saluting OBA with shouts of “Daddy oyoyo”. They followed the YPP gubernatorial candidate straight to the city of Uyo.
At Ibom Plaza, the heart of Uyo township, it was another total lockdown when all commercial transporters and myriads of admirers besieged the popular spot, joining the convoy of the lawmaker to OBA’s multipurpose recreational facility, Ifa, Oron road.
At Ifa, OBA and his team went into a moment of supplication and appreciation to God for his mercies, protection and safe return of the Senator, who is a member representating Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District at the Senate.
Addressing the crowd, Mrs Imaobong Albert, thanked the people for their love and encouraged them to be steadfast, stating that even God has given man the freedom to exercise his will.
She told them that Akwa Ibom belongs to them all and that they have a right ro chose who they want to govern them; assuring that her husband will ensure the welfare and well-being of all Akwa Ibomites.
Equally, the chairman of campaign council, Sir Emem Akpabio, and the Director General, Pastor Sunny Ibuot, expressed the appreciation of the council to the teeming crowd.
They also told the people to ensure the manifestation of God’s will by voting for OBA on the Election Day.
