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2023: ACA has come to stay, says Archbishop Cletus Bassey
Contrary to speculations that the vibrant Akwa Ibom Christian Assembly (ACA) had collapse across the state, its President and Primate of Destiny International Missions, Archbishop Dr. Cletus Bassey , on Tuesday, said the group has come to stay for good.
Arcbishop Bassey, while giving his exhortation at the Akwa Ibom Christian Assembly Prayer Summit in Uyo, on Tuesday, said the goal of ACA is to secure a glorious destiny for Akwa Ibom State through intercessory prayers ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The Archbishop had, during the group’s solemn assembly in October, held that 2023 would be a time for the righteous to takeover leadership positions in Akwa Ibom State in accordance with God’s divine mandate for service.
“ACA cannot stop praying. 2023 is in the hands of God. Nobody has the monopoly of God’s voice. Anybody who says he has that monopoly, mark that person; he is an enemy of the church.
“2023 is not the only reason ACA is in existence. We are here to pray for this land. But we cannot stop talking about 2023 because we are citizens of this land.
“So, don’t let people mislead you ACA is for all. ACA is not a political party, but we will wait until the parties get their candidates and then we will work with all of them”, Archbishop Bassey said at the occasion which was attended by pastors from across the state, and a large crowd of ACA members from the 31 local government chapters of the state.
Some serving political office holders and other politicians including Senator Bassey Albert, Barr Onofiok Luke, Mr Udom Inoyo, Senator Effiong Bob, Mr Ide Owodiong-Idemeko and APC’s Senator John Akpanudoedehe who have embraced the prayer meeting but could not attend due to official engagements sent their goodwill messages and representatives.
An Estate Valuer and a gubernatorial aspirant of the PDP, who is also a Pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Mr James Iniama, in his goodwill message, recalled how he had earlier approached Arcbishop Bassey to discuss how they could team up as pastors to intercede on behalf of the state. Mr Iniama described the Tuesdays prayer meeting as “a testimony of answered prayer”.
Archbishop Bassey, who was full of gratitude to everyone who made the meeting a success, said that ACA was waxing stronger and increasing in numerical strength.
“As at 2019, ACA’s population was 367,000 members. But today, we are close to a million people. ACA is a combination of groups. One of the groups is the Non Indegenes in Akwa Ibom State. So, when we say we are about one million people; trust us that it is the truth.
“ACA does not believe in infighting. We don’t believe in fighting any man. We are fighting Satan to the end. So, don’t join any man to speak anything against any man of God. We are all here defending God’s kingdom”.
The theme of the prayer was “Thy Throne Oh God”. It also featured praise and worship by the praise teams of Destiny International Missions, God’s Ambassadors, Full Life Christian Center and Fulga Church.
Prayers of thanksgiving for the state and country, prayers dealing with altars and deaths in the land as well as word exhortation were taking by different gospel ministers including Rev Angela Ashong, Apostle Nyeneime Andy, Apostle Okoriko, Apostle OtoAbasi, and Rev Ntia Ntia, among others.
Other church leaders present at the summit were the Vice President of ACA, Rev Smith Ukpong; Archbishop Emmauel Ekoi, Bishop Awasiakang Otong of Christ Faith Church, Her Excellency Mrs Idongesit Nkanga, Bishops Isreal Benson and Ifreke Ekpenyong, Rev Utibe-eno John Udo, Rev Willie Rufus, and very many pastors across the state.
Credit: Itoro Bassey
