AKHA Dep Speaker Princess Felicia Bassey Not Hospitalized: Okobo Fair Weather Politicians Are Out AgainFor Usual Blackmail Strategy

By ALPHONSUS BASSEY

If not for our full knowledge of the disguised presences of some reprobates and prodigals who,  having suffered the devastating and repercussive consequences of their disloyalty in their former parties, have sneaked into the harmonious, accommodating and goal-oriented  family of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), we would have been unpleasantly surprised by and doubtful about the shameless masterminds of series of recent blackmails that have been targeted at the impeccable PDP leadership in Okobo Local Government Area. Fortunately, we know far better than these unprincipled mercenaries may have fooled themselves to think in their treacherous disposition.

Upon their referential failures in the remote and recent past, our attention once again has been drawn to a malicious and ill-fated publication in one of the accursed local media outfits in Akwa Ibom State, with a sensationally incurious trademark banner “Fallout of PDP Ward Congress: AKHA Deputy Speaker hospitalised”.

Nothing could have sounded more hilarious to the contrary than a ragtag bunch of perpetual political parasites would seek to disparage the woman so purportedly referred, a highly respected political Amazon and arguably the most dependable and proactive persona on the echelon of PDP Structure in Okobo. And to make their imaginations more imaginative, the straying messengers of calumny offloaded their tissue of lies on a media platform that has been celebrated as a beacon of unprofessionalism and metaphor of absurdities across the Niger Delta region.

However, because they have indiscreetly chosen to launch their chronic stupidity on the media space without qualms, it became expedient that we promptly refute their spurious claims for the safety and protection of the gullible who might be cajoled to swallow that trash hook and sinker. In this way, we lead the curious public on the paths of facts and truth.

Against the evil wishes of her enemies that always appear before her with smiles, we  make make bold to state  with gratitude to Almighty God that the celebrated Deputy Speaker and two-term Member representing Okobo State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Princess Felicia Bassey, has been sound, hale  and hearty and may have had no serious cause to visit the hospital in the last two years. As a committed representative, she has been physically and actively present at all Plenary, Committee and related  Public functions of her statutory duties in the House of Assembly, in fullest demonstration of her avowed service to the State since  the beginning of the 7th Assembly.

Hence, as a leader, she has been around at her maximum effectiveness and commitment to her pivotal leadership roles BEFORE, DURING, AFTER AND PRESENTLY AS IT STILL STANDS in all matters concerning the PDP Congress in Okobo Local and any other matter of PDP in the State that demanded her attention and presences. Indeed, the success of the Ward Congress in Okobo can modestly be attributed to characteristic loyalty, obedience and collaborations with Governor Udom Emmanuel as leader of the party in the State and the wider party structure.

That some misguided persons who have no bearing both in life and politics would deploy a beggarly and unscrupulous media platform to spread lies to the effect that the Honourable parliamentarian in her typical wellbeing has been hospitalised too easily expose the ulterior motives and demented mind frame of the sponsor of such balderdash.

We draw great strength from the  fact that the dusty credentials of the sponsor of the blackmail are best known to us. Available evidence shows that this same nefarious attitude of mischief and character assassination was what stigmatized and ostracised him from where he once belonged, before returning to  PDP as a chronic saboteur and perpetually disgruntled element of no contentment. It cannot be surprising that he is the one championing this misinformation to gratify himself because of small position of trust to Superintendent over the conduct of Party Congress.

For the emphasis, the sponsor of this ill will against the Deputy Speaker is known to have sponsored same or worst media falsehood against leaders of the party both in Okobo and in the State, just because of his inordinate and premature desire to reap where he did not sow, to cause disunity and confusion amongst leaders and followership  of the party, and then run away as he has been doing to another camp when the bubble bursts. But we know his old tactics and we are fully prepared for his infantile mischief against a woman who stood in the gap for the Party when they ran to another camp during the first term elections  of Governor Udom Emmanuel

But this development should send some signals to the party structure. One, that there is a bare-face Judas and Chameleon in their midst whose stock-in-trade is treachery; who must never be entrusted with any serious responsibility that has to do with  coordination of the Party Affairs.  Else, with calculated friction, he would sell the party to outsiders for a few wraps of soured moimoi. Yet, this appears to be the mistake already made when he was asked to lead the congress and have a say during the congress. It means that, henceforth, it would be advisable that the Governor and ancillary party structure be very discreet and critical about who nominates who for what position at the local chapters of the party.

As a matter of fact, because Rt. Hon. Princess Bassey has led the party for years, reflecting the confidence and trust that the Governor, the PDP and the entire Okobo people have reposed in her, she still indisputably remains leader of the party in Okobo and enjoys over 100% undivided solidarity. The fact also remains that nobody in Okobo is contesting that position or hold any grudges, except the riffrags and infidels of recent manifestation who have infiltrated the party from a wrecked ship.

This vagabonds and food-is-ready politician therefore must turn a new leaf or quit the harmonious family of PDP faithful in Okobo. Otherwise, Okobo youth have already spoken with consensus to resist their antics with all it takes or frustrate any plan by a few unscrupulous elements who want to import the tradition of injustice and arm-twisting politicking into the Okobo body polity.

Let it be stated with the emphasis and clarity the matter demands that the Deputy Speaker and two-term Member representing Okobo State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Princess Felicia Bassey, is not ill; she is not in the hospital; but is up and doing in her obligations to Okobo people and the State. Her blackmailers are but cowards afraid of her transparent personality and leadership pedigree. They are aware that Felicia Bassey still  has over 95 percent control of the party Exco at Ward Level in the just concluded Ward Congress and will have same at the Chapter Exco.

The public therefore must discard into the dustbin the concocted reports of her being hospitalized.

ALPHONSUS BASSEY Writes onbehalf of Concerned Youths of Okobo LGA.