By Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON
There are three kinds of people. In the first category are those who make things happen. In the second are those who talk about the people who make things happen. The third category consists of those who do not know what is happening.
God has ordained for me to make things happen, and I am grateful to Him. That is my ministry.
Those who talk about people who make things happen also have their own ministry. They constitute what I may call the “Gossip League.” If I have become a major subject of discussion in their enterprise, I bless the name of the Lord.
There is one thing worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about. However, when gossip is taken to what I consider embarrassing heights of absurdity, one has to respond and ensure that falsehood does not go unchallenged.
This is not simply about me. It is about the principle of sowing and reaping. Every person must ultimately be accountable for his words and actions, and I leave the judgment of malicious and idle talk to God Almighty.
My movement from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) dominated political discussions in Akwa Ibom State and, understandably, unsettled the PDP.
In the course of that political development, several claims were made about me. I do not intend to respond to all of them, but I will address some of the allegations that have continued to circulate.
Among them are claims that I said I was God or behaved as though I were God; that I asked, “Where was God when I made Udom Emmanuel Governor?”; that I intended to sell Akwa Ibom State to Muslims for the establishment of cattle colonies; and that by leaving the PDP for the APC, I had “joined pigs and was now eating in a piggery.”
My story is, above all, a story of grace. My father died when I was quite young, but my mother taught me to believe that he had gone to heaven confident that I was strong enough, both in character and determination, to take care of her, my siblings and, eventually, contribute to the well-being of our people.
I have always been a working person’s person. I became a solicitor, served for years as a commissioner and eventually became Governor of Akwa Ibom State. I regard every stage of that journey as evidence of God’s benevolence.
God made me governor. The forces I faced during the 2007 election were formidable, and many political observers did not give me much of a chance. Yet I emerged victorious.
For me, that experience demonstrated that whether a person travels by bus or bicycle, and whether one is born into affluence or adversity, the will of God can prevail in a person’s life.
As governor, I openly acknowledged God at every opportunity, and I will continue to do so for as long as I live.
My faith also influenced my relationship with religious institutions and communities. On assuming office as governor, one of my early initiatives was a N100 million grant to the Christian community for a revolving loan scheme intended to assist poorer members of the church.
I also approved a N10 million grant for the Muslim community at the Uyo Central Mosque for a revolving, interest-free loan scheme to assist Muslims whose businesses faced financial difficulties.
My objective was to help people who were struggling to improve their livelihoods. I did this partly because of my commitment to the poor and also because of my conviction that Christians and Muslims worship the same God.
That conviction is consistent with the message in James 2:15-16, which challenges believers to complement their words of faith with practical assistance to people in need.
My reverence for God also influenced the construction of the present chapel at Government House, following the demolition of the old structure.
During my tenure, the government introduced a monthly prayer meeting for Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria at the chapel. I am pleased that the tradition has continued under subsequent administrations.
My administration also supported the renovation, construction and reconstruction of churches in different parts of the state and beyond.
It was against this background of my strong Christian faith that we established the now-famous Christmas Carol Festival, which attracted international attention and was broadcast to audiences in many countries during my tenure.
We also worked with Akwa Ibom people to establish what was presented as a Guinness World Records achievement involving the Godswill Akpabio Unity Choir, with 25,272 participants singing together in praise of God.
Against this background, I ask: is it reasonable for a political disagreement or a change of political party to lead some people to describe me as anti-Christ?
In 2016, my wife was in a coma for months. According to the medical assessments at the time, her chances of survival were extremely low. Yet she recovered.
For my family and me, that remains a profound testimony of faith and gratitude.
I was also involved in an accident in 2015 and survived. Whatever questions may surround the circumstances of that incident, I remain grateful to God for preserving my life.
Can a man who has experienced what he regards as God’s favour turn around and blaspheme against Him? Can such a person seek to play God or share God’s glory?
I could therefore never have made the statement attributed to me: “Where was God when I made Udom Emmanuel Governor?”
I did not make such a statement, nor did I conceive it.
I first met Udom Emmanuel around 2012, when he was serving as a deacon at the Qua Iboe Church in Surulere, Lagos. I took a liking to him and believed that, if given the opportunity, he could bring the fear of God to the administration of Akwa Ibom State.
Whether that judgment was right or wrong is a matter for history. I subsequently supported him as my preferred successor. By the grace of God and the votes of the people of Akwa Ibom State, he won the 2015 governorship election.
God made him governor. I was not alone in that political contest. There were 28 other aspirants who also desired the office. Supporting a candidate in such a contest comes with political opposition, and I accept that as part of the burden of public life.
For anyone to suggest that I would ask where God was when Udom Emmanuel became governor is, in my view, a gross distortion.
Of course, God works through people. In the biblical account, Samuel anointed Saul as king of Israel, but nobody accused Samuel of playing God.
For me and my household, our love and reverence for God remain unwavering.
I am also reminded that God is not like some of the people who claim to speak for Him.
Since I moved to the APC, some religious leaders have criticised the party, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and me personally.
Some prominent church leaders who had interacted with me during my eight years as governor also joined the political debate and accused me of supporting policies or actions that I strongly reject.
The farmers-herders crisis, for instance, predates the current administration and has occurred under different governments. It is therefore important that political and religious leaders approach such sensitive national issues with fairness and responsibility rather than reduce them to religious or partisan accusations.
I believe God does not condemn a person solely on the testimony of another. He sees the heart and judges motives and intentions.
Whether Christian or Muslim, we are all accountable to God for our words and actions.
Unfortunately, some of what has been said about me during this election season has gone beyond political criticism.
I was particularly disturbed by reports that some Christian leaders, including a former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), described me publicly in highly derogatory terms because of my decision to join the APC.
I ask those who made such statements: Is the APC a “piggery”? Are members of the ruling party “pigs”?
More importantly, is it appropriate for religious leaders to become deeply involved in partisan politics in ways that promote hatred and division?
My appeal to these “fathers of faith” is simple: let us reduce the hate speech and speak more about salvation, love, peace and unity.
Some of the allegations against me have also involved claims that I intend to undermine the development projects and achievements associated with my time in government by entering into political arrangements that would compromise Akwa Ibom’s interests.
I reject such claims.
During this election period, I have also encountered what I believe to be deliberate attempts to misrepresent me.
At various times, photographs said to have been digitally altered were circulated. A letterhead bearing my name and what was presented as my signature was also allegedly used to circulate a document purportedly addressed to the President through his Chief of Staff.
There were also claims by women presented as foreign observers from South Africa that they had been detained by me or people working for me during the election.
I have not seen evidence establishing those allegations. Because I regard such claims as serious, I have instructed my solicitors to write to the South African Embassy with a view to seeking clarification and pursuing appropriate legal action against those responsible for the allegations.
Throughout all these developments, I have often reflected on what happened to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, when some members of the crowd that welcomed Him into Jerusalem later joined those calling for His crucifixion.
The Bible reminds us in Job 20:4-7 that the triumph of the wicked is short-lived and the joy of the hypocrite is momentary.
Matthew Henry reportedly expressed gratitude after being robbed, saying that he was thankful that he was the one who was robbed rather than the person who robbed him.
I share that sentiment in my own way. I am thankful that I am the person being accused and maligned, rather than the person spreading the falsehood.
My dream for Akwa Ibom State remains alive. My love for Akwa Ibom and Nigeria is stronger than ever, and I appeal to those who may have been drawn into campaigns of misinformation to stop the smear campaigns, propaganda and deliberate falsehood.
I remain undaunted and focused on my commitment to public service and the service of humanity.
I also wish to place on record my deep appreciation to the hundreds of thousands of Akwa Ibom people who, despite the allegations and campaigns against me and the APC, came out to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari and me on February 23, 2019, and for Obong Nsima Ekere on March 9, 2019.
Your votes demonstrated your desire to participate more actively in the centre politics of Nigeria.
For the people of Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, Akwa Ibom State and Nigerians generally, I urge you to continue to pray and remain hopeful.
Our best is yet to come.
God bless Akwa Ibom State.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON
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