Stop intimidating Akwa Ibomites, Archbishop Cletus Bassey warns leaders
By Benjamin Jimmy
The President of Akwa Ibom Christian Assembly (ACA), Archbishop Cletus Bassey, has warned politicians in the state, especially those who have vowed to have their way by means of hook and crook and also using intimidation as a tool in order to impose their stooges on Akwa Ibom people to have a rethink.
Archbishop Cletus Bassey, who handed down the warning earlier today, while addressing thousands of members of ACA across the 31 local government areas of the state who converged on Uyo for prayers, worship and exhortations, said Akwa Ibom people would never be intimidated by anybody to accept a choice unilaterally made which does not represent the aspirations and choice of the over six million people living in the state.
Archbishop Cletus Bassey, who is the founder of Destiny International Mission, one of the leading Christian gatherings in Akwa Ibom State, told members that ACA, being a Christian fold whose decisions are based on the leading of the Holy Spirit, would not abandon this path of pursuit and succumb to the leading and decisions of men whom he said can only mislead the people and exacerbate their sufferings.
“We will not continue to allow this divide-and-rule to take place in Akwa Ibom.
“Everyone has the right to choose whoever he she wants to support. Intimidations and manipulations will not change people’s mind. Therefore, stop intimidating Akwa Ibomites. Stop trying to manipulate things. Stop looking for who to bully. Those things will not work. We are of age. The more you bully Akwa Ibomites, the more we are stronger. So, stop the bullying. Stop the intimidation and the manipulation.
“Some of us have been very quiet because the Lord has kept us in the place of prayers. When He releases us, Akwa Ibom will hear us.
“Therefore, there is no reason to manipulate. Where did we get this nonsense from, that everybody will have to follow one direction? This nonsense must stop. You have the right to choose who you want; who you believe in. So, stop threatening people”.
The ACA President however dismissed as false, the rumours in some quarters that the Christian body was drawing near extinction, saying ACA has instead grown stronger and more determined to seek the face of God for direction ahead of 2023 general elections.
Archbishop Cletus Bassey, who made it clear that the body has not yet decided on any candidate to support in 2023, said such decisions would be arrived at, through the directive of the Holy Spirit, as the one million votes ACA is expected to gather will go for her choice as will be revealed.
He however urged Christians to continue to remain in the place of prayers for the state and the Fathers-in-Faith to be able to speak against evil and all forms of imposition inimical to the well-being of the people, stating that ACA would continue in her prayers, crusading and vanguardism for Akwa Ibom to have men installed of God in positions of leadership in the state.
While exhorting the members at the prayer summit, the Vice President of ACA and the Senior Pastor of Increasing Faith Church, Eket, Rev. Smith Ukpong, observed that Akwa Ibom is going through some refinement at the moment, but assured that she would soon emerge pure like gold at the end of the purification exercise.
The ACA Vice President, who made it clear that the Christian body is not fighting with any politician in the state, however stated that ACA remains in the will of God and therefore, would welcome any politician who identifies with what ACA believes in.
In an exhortation on the theme: “ Divine Alignment: Our Key to Healing”, which was drawn from the main theme of the summit: “ If My People Pray”, Apostle Mark lamented that the church in the state has lost unity which ought to have bound her in love, noting that this sad state of affairs has led to a scattering in the body of Christ.
He however noted that as Akwa Ibom finds herself at a point of making a critical decision as to the future, the assemblage of Christians would realign and consciously work towards reintegrating the church to speak in one
voice, the mind of God in all spheres of human set up.
Also giving an exhortation, Rev. Angela Ashong, who spoke on the topic: “ Power to Escape Evil Trap”, said ACA has taken a decision to remain constant in prayers which, according to her, would liberate the state from evil and imposition and usher it into the will of God; as apposed to the will of men.
Rev. Ashong however berated those who claim to be Christians even when their deeds are at variant with the name they answer to, warning such professing individuals to re-examine themselves or fail to escape evil’s trap.
There were other exhortations which were anchored on the theme of the summit, as well as prayers for the 2023 general elections, escape from evil, divine alignment, forgiveness of sins committed by the state and Nigeria, among others.
There were also ministrations from the United Intercessors’ Group and other choir groups present at the summit.
Highpoint of the one-day Prayer Summit came when Archbishop Bassey led all the ministers and elders of the different churches to kneel in the scorching sun of the day and cried unto the Lord on behalf of Akwa Ibom State.
Dignitaries present include; the governorship candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) for Akwa Ibom, Arc. Ezekiel Nya-Etok, founder, Reigners’ Bible Church, Apostle Akan Weeks, Bishop and church leaders across the state.
