........ preaches unity among political factions
........ Rallies Support for Governor Udom's reelection bid
By David Akpan
In what could be described as a momentous occasion, the Ikono Council Helmsman, Akparawa Itoro Columba yesterday hosted party faithful in Ikono to a lavish appreciation party at his Uyo residence.
The event provided an opportunity for him to show gratitude to the Party Ward and Chapter Executive Committees for choosing him as the party's standard bearer during the September 18, 2017 primaries where he emerged from a total of 11 contenders and for supporting him to win the December 2, 2017 elections by about 98%.
The event had in attendance the PDP Chapter Executive led by the Chapter Chairman, Obong Moses Akpan, Ward executives, ex-officios, youth leaders, women groups, Councillors, Supervisors , friends and loyalists of Itoro Columba.
Setting the tone for the event, a Special Adviser in the council and party strongman, Mr. Sampson Okorie welcomed the gathered crowd and thanked them for honouring the Chairman's invitation. He lauded the Council Boss for deeming it fit to say thank you to the structure he rode to power commending him for delivering so far on the mandate entrusted to him.
The PDP Chapter Chairman, Obong Moses Akpan in his brief remarks described Akparawa Columba as the strength and pride of Ikono, a true son in whom the entire Local Government was well pleased. He lauded him for the honour done the party and urged him to keep it up while stressing that humility and gratitude precedes glory.
The visibly elated Council Boss in his speech expressed his heartfelt gratitude to God for his emergence against all odds, thanked the party faithful for overwhelmingly choosing him out of 11 other qualified candidates to bear the flag of the party and for ensuring he came out tops at the December polls; a feat he stated was unprecedented. His residence he said was open to all at anytime irrespective of status and persuasion, stressing that he was always available to receive and attend to anyone.
Mr. Columba seized the opportunity to drum support for the second term bid of his Boss, Governor Udom Emmanuel and Senator Godswill Akpabio, the senator representing Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District in the Senate considering their superlative performances so far in the respective positions of service while urging factions within the Ikono political structure to sheath their swords and embrace peace, unity and cordiality. He promised to regularly support the party at the Chapter level within his means to ensure her smooth functioning.
"I embrace and welcome into the fold even those who never supported me. I thank God that even in the midst of varied interests, Ikono remains one. Political parties and divides will come and go but the biggest interest we have is Ikono. Anything is possible in politics and anything can change but Ikono remains. Any other aspiration aside that of Governor Udom Emmanuel is secondary. Considering all he has done for Ikono, gratitude demands we reciprocate his kindness by returning him to the hilltop mansion come 2019 and that is our collective resolve today", he said.
Barr. Steven Okunnyang, the Chapter Legal Adviser of the party moved a motion for the adoption and return of His Excellency the Governor come 2019 and it was corroborated by Dr. David Akpan Ntuk, the Chapter Vice Chairman of the party. This was the consensus of all the delegates present and a vote of confidence was also passed on the Chairman, Itoro Columba.
In separate reactions, attendees expressed their joy and satisfaction with the gesture of the Council Boss stressing that he had proven himself a good son and worthy ambassador of Ntippe Ibibio. His "Unwana adi" mantra they said had reawakened the spirit of togetherness and peaceful coexistence among the people. They promised their continuous and unalloyed support to the Chairman urging him to remain steadfast in service to his people.
0 comments:
Contact Us @ info@akwaibomnews.com.ng