Christian leaders under the aegis of Akwa Ibom State Spiritual Leaders Forum have denied choosing any candidate for the 2023 governorship election in the state.
Leaders of the forum also known as ‘Fathers of Faith in Akwa Ibom’ said their role was not to choose leaders but to provide spiritual guidance to aspirants who wish to govern the state.
Chairman of the forum and former President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), His Eminence, Sunday Mbang, alongside co-chairmen, Prelate Isaiah Isong and Rev. Ossom of the Qua Iboe Church, stated this at the weekend during an interaction with journalists in Uyo.
Mbang who spoke on behalf of the forum said: ‘The duty of the forum mainly made up of persons from 70 years upward and young ministers of God in prominent churches was to provide spiritual guidance on the choice of candidates to be filled in almost all elective positions.
”We also interact with security agencies to ensure better service delivery, sensitisation of the youth on Christian ethics and values and consulting key stakeholders of the state to adopt measures that will further strengthen developments within the state.
“We would like to dismiss rumours circulating in the state that Akwa Ibom state spiritual fathers forum/fathers of faith have a preferred gubernatorial candidate. This is false.
“On the contrary, fathers of faith were recently formed and we have been praying conscientiously and would also work conscientiously to ensure that the people of the state elect a credible honest Christian citizen with good leadership qualities, human sympathy, personal probity, and economically vested as the governor of the state, come 2023.
“The same holds for those who must represent us in the various legislative positions at federal, state, and local government.
“The forum serves as a platform to interact on biblical, moral, and ethical issues, supporting the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Akwa Ibom state branch to express views and opinions on religious matters that will enhance unity and harmonious co-existence in Akwa Ibom state and Nigeria.
