Ndifreke P. Akpan (Govt. House)
Following his earlier endorsement by Fathers of Faith
recently, Christian Leaders in Akwa Ibom State have announced their resolve to
start mobilizing their members and associations to unite in one voice and
support the re-election of Governor Udom Emmanuel in 2019.
They said they have started to ensure that they mobilize
people in various Local Government Areas to register since the Independent
Electoral Commission will not count prayer points but votes from registered
voters.
This was the position of religious leaders in the state
during a breakfast meeting with Governor Udom Emmanuel at Hilltop Mansion in
Uyo.
The Spiritual Fathers whose message was conveyed by Pastor
Umo Eno told the Governor that they have moved themselves into a platform known
as Akwa Ibom Christian Assembly to be able to galvanize God's Children across
the state, maintaining that, “gone are those days where the church is just
confined to prayers and we need to like you said, watch and pray.”
Among slated events by the Christian Fathers is a
conference, "Dominion mandate conference" between March 14 and 15,
where international speakers would join the state religious leaders to energize
and enlighten the people on the need to stand on the side of truth.
They also announced that other programmes such as door to
door campaigns in every home, villages, will be embarked upon to enable massive
participation by their followers in the state to enable the return of Governor
Emmanuel who they described as a true believer.
Commenting on the honour on the Governor, Former Chairman
of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Dr. Sunday Mbang recounted that the
Christian Leaders had promised to support the Governor to return to office in
2019.
He said the entire Christian community in the state are
ready to give support to the Governor and the appropriate structures are in
place for this purpose. “So I say, 2019, you will continue as Governor of Akwa
Ibom. I already know you are a winner and anyone who doesn’t believe that, I
wish him luck, because I am a child of God in the proper sense of the word,” the
Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church of Nigeria asserted.
Responding, Governor Udom Emmanuel appreciated the clerics
for their huge show of support to his administration.
He said he was overwhelmed by their earlier show of support
saying it was very significant because it came from the Spiritual Fathers of
the state.
“If there is one body that one must never joke with, it
should be your Spiritual Fathers. They are the most powerful human beings on
earth.”
He said the Fathers of Faith are the only ones that can ask
the most powerful leaders in the world to kneel down, and they are obeyed,
maintaining that his invitation was only to tell them thank you for their
support, only to be surprised by such magnitude of endorsement from the
spiritual fathers. “Believe me I never lobbied for this and I am sure you
people know I speak my sincere heart. It’s just as the spirit directs that the
Fathers and Grandfathers of Faith have come up to do this and this is really
unprecedented. I am overwhelmed, I am almost getting emotional.”
He said the support has placed a huge burden on him to do
everything possible never to disappoint the servants of God.
He said despite pockets of disparaging outbursts against
him by people, he has often remained focused on his task of service delivery,
maintaining that the expectations on him have not allowed him to be distracted.
He urged the Christian Fathers to sensitize their
worshippers on the need to register and acquire their voter’s cards.
Apart from making one eligible to vote, the Governor said
it was necessary for the purpose of data and statistics, since no population
census has been conducted for a long period in the country. “If you look at
Nigeria, there has not been census for a very long period but we still use statistics
everyday to allocate resources. By this week they will go for statutory
allocation meeting, how do you think they arrive at those census figures
because population is one of the indices that is being used?”
He said that Akwa Ibom should record at least 3million
registered voters to reflect over half of the state’s population and urged
indigenes of the state resident elsewhere, to also come home and register.
The Governor appreciated those who have so far contributed
to the building of the ecumenical center in the state, saying he was very
impressed and encouraged.
The Governor who
thanked pastors and churches that have identified with the International
Worship Center project through donations, said it was a spiritual matter, “it
takes people like you to understand that altar that is being raised in this
state.”
Recounting how a
family just recently surprised him with a cheque of One Million Naira for the
project, he said he has even urged his family members to make savings from their
pocket money and also support the building of the International Worship Center.
Highlight of the occasion was formal presentation of
t-shirts, face caps and stickers to the Governor by Arch Bishop Cletus Bassey,
and special prayers for the Governor led by Arch Bishop Udofia.
Others in attendance were Rev. Uma Ukpai, Bishop Isaiah
Isong, Chairman of Govt House Prayer meeting, Pastor Emmanuel Bassey, Chairman
of Qua Iboe Church and that of the United Evangelical Church, the Regional
pastors and area pastors of different denominations.
See more pictures below...
No comments: