A former Finance Commissioner and one of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship aspirants in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Bassey Albert, says he is the most qualified of all the aspirant to succeed Governor Godswill Akpabio on account of his experience and contributions to the uncommon transformation. Excerpts:
What makes you think you are qualified to run as a governorship aspirant given the fact that the slot has been zoned to Eket Senatorial District, which automatically makes it difficult for you to run?
Well, to start with, I must say that it is true that I am from Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area in Itu Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State. By the grace of God, I have had the privilege of working with Governor Godswill Akpabio for the past seven years as the Finance Commissioner and I know that in the last seven years, I have actually discharged my duty with the greatest sense of responsibility and I must thank the governor for the opportunity that he gave me to contribute my own little quota towards the attainment of uncommon transformation in Akwa Ibom State.
And having worked with him as a finance commissioner for seven years, having been part of the cabinet that was able to run the budget in such a way that we had 80 percent of our estimates for capital projects and only 20 for recurrent expenditure consistently for seven years, I can say that I was part and parcel of the success story of the present administration. I can say that my effort to run the budget successfully that strengthened the foundation of the uncommon transformation you find in the state because there are states where the recurrent capital ratio is quite high and not much can be done in terms of capital projects.
Having said that I must confess that Governor Akpabio is a very pragmatic leader who loves and believes in the cause of his people and having found this, he discovered and nurtured me, trusted and entrusted me with the office of the commissioner for finance and I think I have justified that trust. But I believe that taking Akwa Ibom to the next level requires somebody who understands the workings of the system.
I have been properly been mentored and groomed by the governor having worked with him over a period of time. I have had the rare privilege of being mentored by a man who believes and has a passion towards his people and I think we share the same passion and I believe I am in the best position to key into his shoe by becoming the next governor of Akwa Ibom State.
Where the state is today, needs somebody that has the aggression, passion and understanding of the workings and the dynamics of governance and someone who can actually achieve a seamless transition and my achievements are all there for anybody to scrutinize. I do not want to over flog the issue of what I have done and what I did not do but I am more concerned about what needs to be done in taking the state to the next level. I believe we have done enough in the area of infrastructure, though not every facet of the state has witnessed the uncommon transformation, and so there are a lot of areas, milestones that need to be covered.
I am interested in how we can reinvigorate the machinery of government to achieve a wider spectrum in terms of development, because when you talk about development, it can be infrastructure; human or other areas of development. I understand those areas that a lot still needs to be done to bring about the real impact that the people need.
Are you not afraid to run given the fact that you don’t have any endorsement?
I just believe that I can win in a free and fair election. I must thank the President of Nigeria who believes in enthroning democracy. I must confess that in displaying this level of commitment by ensuring that there is a level playing field in the forthcoming primaries, only the best can emerge from the process to save this country. I recall that in 2006, the people of Akwa Ibom stood for hours/days to bring about the government of Godswill Akpabio despite the fact that the incumbent at that time had preference for a particular candidate.
That is why I am insisting that the governor as human has the right to support the candidate of his choice but what we are asking for is that he should allow the people the liberty to decide and choose who they want and once this happens, I believe that only the best will emerge. My prayer is that the God that did it for Godswill Akpabio in 2006 despite the fact that Obong Victor Attah preferred Dr. Udoma Ekarika should also do it for Obong Bassey Albert in 2014 despite the fact that Governor Godswill Akpabio prefers Udom Emmanuel. It is also my prayer that God should bring a governor that is loyal to the people and that will show love to the people. It is the only way that the governor can develop in the collective interest of the people.
The other day, the governor described some of you who defied him and joined the race as Absalom. Are you not afraid to enter the race through the backdoor?
I am coming through the front door because I have consulted him and he had blessed me and given me the go-ahead to contest elections and moreover when you talk about coming through the front door, who is at the front door? The incumbent is at the front door so if the back door is an isle you can use it, if the window is an isle you can use the window, you can even break the wall and still reach the front door. Are you saying that if I enter this house now and the front door is locked, I cannot use the back door? I want to leave it at that. But let me say that we maintain a very cordial relationship.
The governor had to let me go at the time God wanted me to leave because of my intention of contesting the forthcoming elections. Like the PDP slogan says, power belongs to the people and the people should be allowed to choose whoever they want to work for them and not for anyone to arrogate to himself the power to choose for the people. I think anybody who wants to be a governor should stand out and sell himself to the Akwa Ibom people. That is the way I see it and that is what the office of the governor entails.
At what point did you decide to enter the race to become the governor?
I feel strongly that I am the most qualified to run the state after Akpabio because I am one of the key persons he groomed as a successor.
Are you not worried about the zoning formula of your party, which has tactically excluded you from the contest?
I am not really bothered about the issue of zoning because I know that zoning is only an arrangement. Even within the context of Akwa Ibom state, we have never had zoning in the real sense of it. I am saying so right from 1992, we had people from different zones contesting the governorship election. In 1999 for instance, when Attah from Uyo Senatorial District came out, we had several contestants from Eket and several people from other areas challenging him.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/akwa-ibom-2015-im-qualified-succeed-akpabio-bassey-albert/#sthash.hvYCI17D.dpuf
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