Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel is one of the lucky governors in Nigeria who has been given a divine return ticket to office by men of God.
A formidable group called “Fathers of Faith” in the state have come together and anointed him ahead of the 2019 governorship elections in the state.
Dr. Sunday Mbang, the Prelate Emeritus of Methodist Church of Nigeria, who was dramatis personae during the governor’s endorsement on Thursday, November 24, at the Le Meridien Hotels and Golf Resort, Uyo, led the pack of men of God.
Dr. Mbang, a one-time National Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, said Governor Udom’s transparent Christianity endeared him hence the need to endorse him for another term in the office.
Rev. (Dr.) Uma Ukpai, an internationally acclaimed evangelist based in Uyo, also joined in endorsing the governor for a second term.
Dr. Ukpai said apart from declaring support for Governor Emmanuel as their sole candidate for 2019, he wanted God to increase his level of anointing.
He announced that the Governor was sent by God to take Akwa Ibom people out of hood to a place of honour, saying that the church owes the Governor prayer, which, he insisted, was a debt that must be paid.
“I believe you were sent by God to transform our economy from an ordinary economy to an industrialised economy,” he noted.
Arc Bishop Cletus Bassey, the immediate past chairman of CAN said the church produced Mr. Emmanuel not only as a great Governor but also as a worthy ambassador to the church and as such will not be allowed to work alone.
Arch Bishop Bassey enumerated the achievements of the Governor and said that the church leaders were meeting as a family to renew their covenant for him to continue in ruling the state.
Rev. Ndueso Ekwere, the State Chairman of CAN said, “It was a day the Fathers of Faith needed to tell the intelligent, amiable, knowledgeable, erudite, impacftul and industry-driven Governor of Akwa Ibom that they love him.”
Ekwere, who said a job well done means more work to be done, and stated that plans were underway for a large crowd of Christian faithful to converge and announce the Governor formally for a second term, adding that the church which brought him is still standing by him.
Mr. Udom Emmanuel, the State Governor, in response described as one of the most amazing days in the journey of his life and the event overwhelming and unprecedented.
Emmanuel thanked the body of Christ for the proclamation, and noted that it calls for a high level of responsibility on his part and that of the state government, restating his commitment to do everything in line with life’s principles and the core values of the society as he continues in his service to the state with all amount of sincerity.
He said “I want to promise the Christian body that I will uphold the tenets of those teachings that we were given and uphold the banner of Christ. As Christians, we must also leave a mark so that even when we are gone, we should be able to leave some things behind.”
The Governor, who said he was not informed about what transpired during the meeting expressed so much appreciation to CAN, PFN and other Christian blocs with a promise to invite the gathering shortly to bare his mind.
Dr. Sylvanus Ukafia, the State Chairman, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, was present at the occasion.
However, the trio- Dr. Sunday Mbang, Dr. Uma Ukpai and Arch Bishop Cletus Bassey- had in 2014 also endorsed Senator Godswill Akpabio as Akwa Ibom governor for a second term in office.
Meanwhile, governorship candidates in other political parties are yet to respond to the endorsement of Governor Emmanuel for a second term in the office.
