By Ofonime Udosen

As the race to the Hilltop mansion, the official residence of the Governor of Akwa Ibom state enters critical stage, startling revelations of the arm-twisting and desperate political maneuvers of the Senator representing Uyo Senatorial District, Obong Bassey Albert popularly called (OBA) has been exposed.

The latest revelation emanated from a prominent man of God and Founder of one of the top churches in Akwa Inom state who gave an insight into Senator Albert’s attempt to penetrate the governor’s heart by trying fruitlessly to compromise the Christian leaders in the state popularly called “fathers of faith”.

According to the Christian father who craved anonymity for safety reasons in a chat with our reporter, “OBA had long before the Governor revealed Pastor Umo Eno as his preferred candidate for PDP ticket enlisted Bishop Cletus Bassey with mouth-watering offers to break into the ranks of fathers of faith and get them to endorse and present him to the governor as their chosen candidate and God’s ultimate revelation to them.

Archbishop Cletus Bassey popularly called political Bishop swung into action and mobilized some prominent fathers of faith to Abuja on an all expense paid trip with adequate hotel and other bills footed.

However trouble started when the agenda of the Abuja trip was unveiled to the fathers of faith. They discovered that they were in the nation’s capital to be used by OBA to achieve his dream of taking over from Emmanuel in 2023.

Our Source explained that after the fathers of faith had been treated to some sumptuous meal and rested, they were told in clear terms that they were in Abuja on the invitation of Senator Bassey Albert’s 2023 ambition.

He further highlighted that OBA has instructed them to help him strike a deal which will fetch each of them N50 million.

Their assignment was to rally as a united front to Governor Udom Emmanuel and inform him that after ceaseless prayers and fasting, God had revealed him to them as the next governor that should be supported.

Our Reporter gathered that the meeting was abruptly brought to an end with the fathers of faith exchanging hot words with Bishop Bassey for bringing them to Abuja under false pretense to compromise their integrity and hard-earned reputation.

Our reporter gathered that Bishop Bassey sensing that the project was about to flop miserably hurriedly called the Senator to come informing him that there was trouble.

Senator Bassey Albert allegedly arrived the venue and made a confirmation of the promised N50million to each for them.

We were told that this ignominious propodal coming directly from a distinguished Senator further infuriated the fathers of faith who walked out on the Abuja meeting and returned home.

Unperturbed and still filled with false hope and confidence, OBA last December again approached Bishop Cletus Bassey and energized him to resurrect the Akwa ibom Christian Assembly popularly called (ACA) and mandated him to use it as an alternative platform to confront and possibly diminish the strength and popularity of fathers of faith in the state.

In the spirit of the then season, over 1000 bags of rice and undisclosed amount running into millions of naira was put at his disposal to commence the onslaught.

Our source who said he has keenly observed the political style of the Senate described him as someone that is acting out of desperation and presenting himself as a vicious person who is entitled to the position of governor.

According to him, “Akwa ibom needs a visionary and result-oriented leader who fears God and loves the people. We need a man who will continue the developmental strides of the governor and not one coming to pursue vendetta and have such a sense of entitlement.

“Akwa Ibom has found a man who had through sheer hard work and faith in God built a growing business empire that has employed and helped so many youths of the state to earn decent living in the person of Pastor Umo Eno.

“Eno has displayed maturity and love for the state by not joining issues with those bent on blackmailing him for no just cause and Akwa Ibom people are now better informed on the real enemies of the state”. He intoned