By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
It was moment of uncontrolled flow of tears as the Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Council converged on OBA Recreational Centre, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Saturday for a service of songs in honour of its recently departed members.
The council, is a political campaign structure for the actualisation of Senator Bassey Akpan’s 2023 governorship aspiration in Akwa Ibom State
The group’s Chief of Protocol, Imo Isang and Escort Commander, Inspector Linus Odey were murdered in Imo State by suspected IPOB members on October 7, 2022, while Robert Albert, younger brother to Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, died of kidney complications on October 6, 2022 .
Our correspondent observed that the service started smoothly as members, dressed in all black, sang with controlled emotion.
However, they wept uncontrollable when families of the deceased members were invited to speak.
As the first son of Imo Isang rendered songs and spoke with surprising composure, the hall broke into tears, especially when he said the father’s death would signpost victory for OBA in 2023.
Mr Atai Albert, who spoke on behalf of the Albert Akpan’s family, paid glowing tributes to the three departed souls, with whom he said, he had personal and close relationships.
He described them as “fantastic” persons and prayed God to grant their souls repose.
Apostle Nyeneime Andy, who read from 1 Thessalonians 4:13,15,18 urged all to have hope even in death, and prayed God for comfort.
He offered special prayers to the Distinguished Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, leaders and members of the campaign council, the families of the deceased.
“When I heard of their departure, I said they have finished their works on earth. If it wasn’t time, God would not have allowed it to happen. But as we pray, we shall not have any experience of death amongst us”, the cleric asserted.
Prophet David Udo Udo, General Overseer of the Apostolic Mount Olive Church, while praying, said that no temptation will stop God from fulfilling His purpose in the life of Senator Bassey Albert.
“Pilate wrote on Jesus’ cross that He was the King of the Jews, and though the enemies tried to have the tag removed, what was written, was written. What ever they try to do, what was written about Senator Bassey Albert must stand. Nobody can delete what was written about him”, he said.
Apostle OtoAbasi Effiong, General Overseer of FULGA, led in prayers against death of members of the campaign organization, while Rev. Felix Abia, General Overseer, Shelter of Grace Arena, led in prayer against violence and attacks during and after the campaigns. Pastor Nnamdi Ikemba and Prophet Eno Etido prayed for God’s sovereignty over campaign of the Akwa Ubok Abasi and all members.
In his condolence message, the chairman of the Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Council, Sir Emem Akpabio, said the past one week was a traumatic one, especially in the life of Senator Bassey Albert Akpan who was deeply shocked by the death of the those departed, and assured all that there will be victory at last.
“I want to assure you that the struggles our heroes died for will not be in vain. We have overcome. Come May 29, 2023, the struggles of all of you will not be in vain. We will be victorious, and OBA will emerge the next Governor”, he stated.
Sir Akpabio assured all that though faced with such tribulation, the victory of the YPP will heal the wounds of losing the “three departed heroes”.
Similarly, the Director-General, Pastor Sunny Ibuot, admonished all to look up to God for help, since He remains the only one to help in times of distress.
He then prayed God to bless those who found time to be at the assembly to honour the departed.
The national financial secretary of the YPP, Ahmed Azeez, in his condolence message, said the news of the deaths was received with shock by all in the party.
He urged the families of the departed to take solace in the fact that there will be victory at the end.
Responding, the YPP governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom state, Senator Bassey Akpan (OBA), said the three departed heroes were very close to him and it would be difficult to go on without them.
“Imo left behind four children, Robert left behind four children, and Odey left behind four children. I have now added twelve children to my family”, he said, promising that he will not leave any of them behind.
He thanked God for his life as He made it possible for him to survive the shock. “That I am alive today in itself is a testimony. My blood pressure rose to 286 over 140 when I got the news. But now, I thank God, we are stronger than we were last week”, he said.
OBA thanked his party and the people for standing by him in his moment of trial, assuring that salvation will come to Akwa Ibom from May 29, 2023.
