August 5, (THEWILL) – Senator Bassey Akpan (OBA) has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), in Akwa Ibom State.
Akpan made the feat in a primary, held at the party secretariat, Uyo, the state Capital.
Akpan polled a total of 216 votes in the primary and was the sole aspirant.
His victory came exactly five days after Pastor Nyenime Andy, the former candidate announced his voluntary resignation at a well-attended defection ceremony, organised by the Senator at Ifa Ikot Akpan.
The fresh primary, ordered by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), saw all the delegates from the 31 local government areas filed out behind him.
The primary, duly monitored by INEC, was in line with Section 33 of the 2022 Electoral Act, which stipulates that when a candidate voluntarily withdraws from an election, he must be substituted through a fresh primary within a specified time.
The event, widely judged peaceful, was supervised by the National Secretary of YPP, Barr Vidiyeno Bamaiyi.
Akpan was decorated with the party’s regalia for candidates, including a certificate of return.
In his acceptance speech, Senator Akpan, who is the Senator representing Akwa Ibom North East (Uyo) Senatorial District and recently dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for the YPP, promised not to disappoint his family, teeming supporters, party, and the entire state for the trust and confidence reposed in him.
He pledged that he will be one of the best governors Akwa Ibom has ever had when he wins the poll, next year.
Aside from INEC, the event was also witnessed by the national officers of YPP, leaders and members of Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Organisation, OBA’s structure, his family members, friends and associates from across party lines in the state.
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