By Ime Silas
The 329 Ward Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Akwa Ibom State, have commended the APC Political Leader for Ukanafun local government area, Obong Barr Freedom Ibritam, for accepting to be their Leader.
Acting under the auspices of Akwa Ibom State APC Ward Chairmen Forum, the group expressed the hope that Obong Ibritam’s acceptance would mark a new dawn for the party across all the wards of the state.
The forum’s executives and members, who stated this last week, during the official installation and Award presentation ceremony at Obong Ibritam’s home in Uyo, expressed their confidence that he would bring to bare his political connections in linking the party structures at the grassroots level for optimal productivity.
In his speech before the Award presentation and decoration as Leader, the Chairman, Akwa Ibom State APC Ward Chairmen Forum, Engr. Saviour William, described Obong (Barr) Freedom Ibritam as a consummate politician and philanthropist, who was known for using his resources for the betterment of his people.
He said “Our coming here today, is not by accident. We the executives of Akwa Ibom APC Ward Chairmen Forum, representing all the 329 wards in this state, have found you worthy of this honour today. We want to thank you for accepting to be our Leader, after much visits and consultations. We also want to appreciate you for endorsing this installation and presentation ceremony today.
“You are one of the great leaders of this party that we are always proud of. We have seen your humanitarian services which you have been rendering for the people of this state in whatever capacity you find yourself.
“We are hopeful that you will join hands with the State Executives, the State Leader, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio and other leaders to move this party forward. It is a settled fact that politics is local.
“It starts from the units to the Wards. So we passionately plead with you to help us as we strive to sustain the presence of our great party at the grassroots across the state. We want you to serve as a link between the Ward Chairmen and the leadership of the party at various levels including the national so that by 2023, our great party, the APC, can take over the leadership of Akwa Ibom state”.
Responding, Obong Ibritam, a 2019 aspirant for Oruk Anam/Ukanafun Federal Constituency, said he accepted the award and leadership position bestowed on him by the APC Ward Chairmen Forum, after he ran a check on them and could certify their sincerity towards the growth and success of the party in the state.
Obong Ibritam who is a retired Police Officer maintained that he joined the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state because of his desire to serve his people.
He said: “It has always been my desire to serve my people. I have discovered that the best avenue to serve a greater number of people is government through politics. So when your representatives approached me, I needed to run a check about your sincerity. Having been satisfied, I can assure you today that I am ready to serve as the bridge that would link you to appropriate quarters”.
While extolling the calibre of people in the APC at both the state and federal levels, Obong Ibritam hinted that it was their selflessness and leadership qualities that endeared him to the party.
He said: “APC is a formidable political party with great leaders and members at the state and federal levels. They have distinguished themselves in terms of political leadership and services to humanity. Look at the various achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari. Look at the way Sen Godswill Akpabio is transforming the Niger Delta region through the Niger Delta Ministry. I have not regretted joining the party because it is a party that has good intentions for the people”.
On his Award of Honour and appointment as Leader, Obong Ibritam thanked the APC Ward Chairmen forum for recognizing his little efforts and pledged to be a servant servant-leader in order to justify the confidence reposed in him.
Other executive members of the Forum who also spoke glowingly of Obong Ibritam during the event included Solomon Dan (Uyo Senatorial District), Friday Udo (Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District) and Imo Eneh (Eket Senatorial District).