Akwa Ibom Guber 2023: In the womb of time
…And that same God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, is still in control of the affairs of men. And 2023 governorship election in Akwa Ibom State, will not be an exception, because the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong…ECCLESIASTES 9:11.
” So, then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but it is about whom God decides to show mercy,” ROMANS 9: 16.
…And that same God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, showed mercy on David, the youngest of the eight sons of Jesse and made him the second king of Israel.
In his family’s reckoning, David was the least. Being the least, he would have been the last person considered for anything significant by his family and man’s standards. However, he was the one chosen by God to be the second king of Israel.
…And that same God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, qualities those He called for the job.
” And whom He foreordained, them He also called and whom He called, them He also justified and whom He justified, them He also glorified, ” ROMANS 8:30.
Indeed, that same God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, has manifested His will and glory in the leadership emergence process in Akwa Ibom State over the years.
For instance, Obong Victor Attah, who eventually became the governor of Akwa Ibom State in 1999, without prejudice, was not the richest of the six governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The need to fund the young party’s electoral process was a critical issue during that transition programme.
Chief Benji Okoko and Chief Ittak Ekarika were rich in relevant currencies.
Chief Okoko, was the immediate past commissioner for Works, while Chief Ekarika, was on the board of many companies, including a commercial bank.
In that governorship race, Chief Okoko, was the favourite. He had a hand in the emergence of the pioneer State Chairman of PDP, late Chief Joe Ating in 1998.
The late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, was assigned the responsibility of conducting the 1999 governorship primary in Akwa Ibom State by the national leadership of the party, with a charge to ensure the emergence of Chief Benji Okoko.
However, Obong Attah was the man ordained by God for the State’s top job at that time.
In 2001, if anybody had told Barr. Godswill Akpabio, that he will succeed Obong Attah, as governor in 2007, he would have, as reasonable men would do, dismissed it as a poor attempt to swindle him.
…And that same God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, showed Chief Akpabio mercy in a governorship race that was not only tumultuous, but had everything, including the machinery of government and structure of the PDP primed for the victory of the governor’s in-law, Dr. Udoma Ekarika.
Similarly, if anyone had in 2012, told Mr. Udom Emmanuel, that he would be the governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2015, he would have dismissed it as malaria – induced talk.
Like his predecessors, that same God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, had ordained him to serve Akwa Ibom people for eight years as their governor.
Politically, he was not so “qualified” in the eyes and estimation of politicians, because he was not around in the politics of the State.
But having been chosen by God, he was qualified with an appointment as the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, in 2013.
While those who want to serve Akwa Ibom State as governor in 2023, are entitled to their aspirations, and have started the spade work, they must know that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle for the strong, but about the person God decides to show mercy. It is in order for anyone to aspire, but the Almighty God controls the affairs of men.
As citizens, we owe the aspirants a duty of prayer for a peaceful and credible gubernatorial primary, which is the foundation in the leadership emergence process. Our supplication should be, Lord, let your will prevail over that of men in Akwa Ibom State, in 2023.
If it pleases you Lord, to give us a ‘David’ in Akwa Ibom State, to continue from where our dear Governor Udom Emmanuel, would sign off in 2023, let your peace prevail. You know the hearts of men. You know who will do your will in Akwa Ibom State, according to your glory.
The next governor of Akwa Ibom State is in the womb of time.
