By Aniedi Ekpo, Uyo
I have read with utter disbelief a news item credited to Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr Sunday Mbang, that his closeness to former president Olusegun Obasanjo, earned Senator Godswill Akpabio the governorship seat of Akwa Ibom State in 2007.
To react to the above assertion without any delay is to say without mincing words that our revered “father of faith” is being economical with the truth.
In African tradition and beliefs, Elders, particularly, religious leaders must be respected not for anything but because of their age and experience they have gannered in their sojourn on earth. In fact, their words are always full of wisdom laced with truth.
As somebody who was raised up to always accord respect to any elder particularly, those old enough to “father and mother” me. I will keep to that order. However, I have also grown to understand that while elders must be respected, they could be corrected anywhere they appeared to have gone way-off the mark, but with humility and respect.
It is therefore, based on the above premise that I am out here to put the emergence of Senator Akpabio as the governor of Akwa Ibom State in its real perspective.
With due respect to our revered father of faith, as earlier stated in the opening paragraph to say the least, he is being economical with the truth. It is on record that our revered Prelate Emeritus Mbang, sided with former deputy governor of the state, Sir Michael Udofia, in the countdown to the governorship primaries in 2007. He only shifted support for Senator Akpabio, like others, shortly after his emergence as the governorship candidate of his former party.
So for our revered father of faith
( whatever that means or stands for), to now claim to have used his relationship with Chief Obasanjo to install Akpabio as governor is a big fat lie that should not be linked to Mbang, whom we hold in very high esteem.
We all know that the emergence of Akpabio as the governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2007 and 2011 was an exclusive miracle by God, given the well known fact that his former boss and predecessor, Obong Victor Attah never supported his ambition.
Apart from God, the good people of Akwa Ibom State, the less privileged, the artisans, market women, youths and students should be given the credit and not father of faith Mbang.
The delegates who ignored the scorching sun, bags of Ghana Must Go, incumbency intimidation and threats to queue behind aspirant Akpabio at the House of Assembly complex, should take the credit, not Mbang.
Akpabio emerged governor, without a godfather. He knew nobody at the National Office of his former party, but he knew God. He had nobody at the seat of power in Abuja, but he had God.
Therefore, no mortal not even Mbang, should attempt to replace the hands of God in the life and affairs of Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio CON, the incumbent Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
Ekpo, is based in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
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