Akwa Ibom 2023 Guber: Cletus Bassey, Ntia Ntia others draw battle line with Governor Emmanuel, vow to produce Udom’s successor
As the race for 2023 governorship gathers momentum, a section of clerics in the state have vowed to produce the governor who will succeed the incumbent, Governor Udom Emmanuel.
Speaking at a prayer meeting organized by Akwa Ibom Christian Assembly (ACA), the Chairman of the body, Archbishop Cletus Bassey lamented what he described as invasion of the state by foreign pastors who he said had assumed the role of spiritual fathers to the incumbent Governor.
Archbishop Bassey who is the former State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria and current Chairman, Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board said never will they fold their arms to allow the Governor produce a successor without their full endorsement adding that he (Cletus) must without negotiation be the spiritual father to the next governor of the State.
At the meeting which took place at Destiny International Mission Church auditorium, Archbishop Cletus stressed that the next governor must come from him and urged those in attendance to hold him responsible if his anointed candidate failed to recognize and reward them accordingly.
In his exhortation, Rev Ntia I. Ntia of the Full Life Christian Centre, said it was time for them to be heard stressing that Akwa Ibom State must be preserved from every foreign voice adding, “God should preserve Akwa Ibom from strange people.”
Rev Ntia who alluded to the biblical Mordecai, said the Mordecai who is rejected today and being called names by the present king will soon become the next king.
He observed that the Mordecai was at Abuja and even at home campaigning for the success of the sitting king and was not labeled evil, but suddenly became cultist at the time of due reward.
Rev. Ntia who stressed that he be quoted said it was their time to produce the next Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
In his word, “we may be quiet, but that does not mean that we are foolish. We may be humble but that doesn’t mean we are cowards. They are stockpiling money to bribe people in time of elections, but it will fail. The voice of ACA will be heard in 2023.”
Although the name of their candidate was not disclosed, it was gathered that the prayer meeting was sponsored by Senator Bassey Albert, who has also made funds available for a repeat prayer meeting scheduled for December 17, 2021.
Further investigations revealed that Senator Bassey Albert popularly known as OBA has been “bankrolling” some pastors in the State including; Archbishop Cletus Bassey, Rev Ntia I. Ntia, Apostle Nyeneime Andy, and Rev Angela Ashong among others.
As at the time of filling this report, some of the younger pastors who were in attendance have expressed disappointed with the sharing formulae of the largess reportedly made available by Senator OBA, saying Archbishop Cletus Bassey gave them peanuts and reserved chunk of the money for himself which according to them, he has used to travel outside the country shortly after the prayer meeting.
They also derided what they described as unnecessary show of confidence by Rev Ntia Ntia stressing that he was speaking with such confidence as the said anointed candidate by Cletus Bassey was his church member and major donor in his church.
While they were not specific on their readiness to support the course, they were unanimous in their conclusion that the duo (Cletus Bassey and Ntia Ntia) were selfish in their position given their close affiliation to the said candidate.
Some of the prominent clergies at the meeting were; Rev. Angela Ashong, Rev. Mercy Williams Bassey, Rev. Hope Ekong, and Apostle Nyenime Andy who has found new love in Archbishop Cletus Bassey after settling their reported long standing scores.
