My Closeness To Obasanjo Ensured Akpabio’s Emergence As Governor in 2007 – Dr. Sunday Mbang Reveals
Contrary to claims as peddled in some political quarters as to how Godswill Akpabio successfully scaled through to become governor in 2007, a fiery cleric and prelate emeritus of Methodist Church, Nigeria, Dr Sunday Coffie Mbang, has revealed that he was the key player in his emergence.
Dr Mbang said authoritatively that he employed his closeness to the then Nigeria’s President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, to help Godswill Akpabio to overcome some difficulties he faced and thereafter went on to become the governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2007.
The world-acclaimed clergyman, speaking during a recent visit by the Oku Ibom Ibibio and chairman, Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs, His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Daniel Etuk, at his Uyo residence, said upon his retirement as a prelate, he declined entreaties to live elsewhere, preferring instead to come back home.
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“Thank you very much for this visit. Let me say a few things. I returned to this state (Akwa Ibom) in 2006 and with my position in life, people offered me places to live. I was offered places in Abuja, but I decided to come home.
“As some of you know, former President Olusegun Obasanjo is a very close friend of mine. When I arrived here, the first thing that confronted me was Godswill Akpabio seeking to be governor. So Akpabio came to me and told me he was having difficulties concerning his governorship aspiration and I used my relationship with Obasanjo and he was then made the governor of this state. So because of that, I supported him but I didn’t know who he was even after he had left office.”
Dr Mbang, who was president, World Methodist Council, said “on completion of his tenure, Akpabio brought Udom Emmanuel as his choice to succeed him as governor and I accepted and blessed him.
“Later, he came, back bringing Udom Emmanuel with him. Gabriel Udom is so transparent when it comes to the things of God. He’s not one to play hanky-panky. I strongly believe God brought Udom Emmanuel to this state, for this state,” he explained.
According to him, the body of clergy would certainly contribute as to who emerges as governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2023.
“Already, Mr Udom Emmanuel has said he wouldn’t pick anyone but has asked the church to pray to God to send a successor, one who is not greedy or corrupt and one who cherishes the things of God.
“We the elders have lived our lives already but we want a better place for our children and God blessed us with Governor Udom Emmanuel to prepare this state for our children. That’s one of the reasons why I formed the Spiritual Leaders Association to try and inculcate the true way of Jesus Christ into them because I discovered there are so many fakes in our state. So we do this so that God will keep blessing us,” he added.
