Date Published: 10/20/09

Editor,

2011: Prayer for my Akwa Ibom State

We have all witnessed the show which took place on October 10, 2009 at Esan Ibibio; where some people gathered and claimed to be representing the whole Ibibio race. Some who were and still against the gathering were indirectly forced to be in attendance at the heavily sponsored gathering. All were to show how much the Ibibios “ love ” our dear and amiable governor Godswill Akpabio.

Speeches were prepared urging support for him to remain at the Akwa Ibom Government House till 2015. One of the speeches was delivered by a man who most Akwa Ibomites know has remained incapable of managing his immediate family; having changed wives several times without stability in sight. If such a person exists so at his immediate domain one then wonders how he could be part of persons representing us, the Ibibios.

Most of others that spoke at the event did so pretending that they were God. One thing for sure; God does not go by desires of men. It was God that allowed Akpabio, in the first instance, to become governor since 2007 and therefore, it is God only, not men that can allow him to remain there after May 29, 2011. It is only God that is just.

My prayer for my State therefore, is that no matter what men do, and if God says that governor Akpabio will leave office May 29, 2011, or stay further, so shall it be. I implore those still sitting on the fence to join in this sincere prayer of the majority for the sake of our dear State.

Few men should not because of what material gains they are currently enjoying, at the expense of the larger society, arrogate to themselves the power to make and unmake because it might amount to desperation which will meet with disappointment at the end. Good material does not need all the desperate moves and advertisements; doing so amounts to vocal minority ignoring silent majority.

Moreover, it has been registered in Heaven that there will not be absolute rigging as before in the next round of elections in Nigeria.  We should give room that God may have raised (another) humble, sincere and more youthful person (Senator Akpanudoedeghe may not even be in contention) to lead our State, come 2011. Join the majority in the prayer.

Okon Uwem, Atabong Road, EKET, Akwa Ibom State. ( okonuwem@yahoo.com)