2023: ACA does not belong to any political party – Cletus Bassey
By Itoro Bassey
The Primate of Destiny Missions International and President of Akwa Ibom Christian Assembly (ACA), Arcbishop Cletus Bassey, has said the assembly does not belong to any polical party, even as preparations for the 2023 general elections begin to attract public discourse.
Arcbishop Bassey, while giving his exhortation at the Akwa Ibom Christian Assembly Prayer Summit in Uyo, on Tuesday, said the goal of ACA is to secure a glorious destiny for Akwa Ibom State through intercessory prayers.
The Archbishop had, during the group’s solemn assembly in October, held that 2023 would be a time for the righteous to takeover leadership positions in Akwa Ibom State in accordance with God’s divine mandate for service.
“ACA cannot stop praying. 2023 is in the hands of God. Nobody has the monopoly of God’s voice. Anybody who says he has that monopoly, mark that person; he is an enemy of the church.
“2023 is not the only reason ACA is in existence. We are here to pray for this land. But we cannot stop talking about 2023 because we are citizens of this land.
“So, don’t let people mislead you ACA is for all. ACA is not a political party, but we will wait until the parties get their candidates and then we will work with all of them”, Archbishop Bassey said at the occasion which was attended by pastors from across the state, and a large crowd of ACA members from the 31 local government chapters of the state.
According to Arcbishop Bassey, some serving political office holders and other politicians including Senator Bassey Albert, Barr Onofiok Luke, Mr Udom Inoyo, Senator Effiong Bob and APC’s Senator John Akpanudoedehe who have embraced the prayer meeting but could not attend due to official engagements sent words across to the group’s leadership, while others sent representatives.
In his goodwill message, one of the aspirants said to be eyeing the office of governor, Mr James Iniama, recalled how he had earlier approached Arcbishop Bassey to discuss how they could team up as pastors to intercede on behalf of the state. He described the prayer meeting as “a testimony of answered prayer”.
Archbishop Bassey, who was full of gratitude to everyone who made the meeting a success, said that ACA was waxing stronger and increasing in numerical strength.
“As at 2019, ACA’s population was 367,000 members. But today, we are close to a million people. ACA is a combination of groups. One of the groups is the Non Indegenes in Akwa Ibom State. So, when we say we are about one million people; trust us that it is the truth.
“ACA does not believe in infighting. We don’t believe in fighting any man. We are fighting Satan to the end. So, don’t join any man to speak anything against any man of God. We are all here defending God’s kingdom”.
The theme of the prayer was “Thy Throne Oh God”. It also featured praise and worship by the praise teams of Destiny International Missions, God’s Ambassadors, Full Life Christian Center and Fulga Church.
Prayers of thanksgiving for the state and country, prayers dealing with altars and deaths in the land as well as word exhortation were taking by different gospel ministers including Rev Angela Ashong, Apostle Nyeneime Andy, Apostle Okoriko, Apostle OtoAbasi, and Rev Ntia Ntia, among others.
