Pastor Suspended for Hosting YPP’s Thanksgiving  Service in A’Ibom

Okon Bassey in Uyo

The Apostolic Church in Akwa Ibom State has suspended one of its pastors for hosting the thanksgiving and dedication service of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Onna Local Government Area of the state . Onna is the home town of the state Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel.

The suspended clergy, Pastor E.E. Henshaw, broke the news of his suspension just as the service was going on at Ndon Eyo Township assembly in Onna.

The suspension shocked the congregation when the pastor announced that he just received a message of suspension for opening the doors of the church for YPP.

He also said the Field Superintendent, Dr U.S Ukpong, had ordered him to appear before the Disciplinary Council of the church  the next day to explain why he should not be sacked for allowing YPP to dedicate its campaign and thank God in his assembly.

Pastor Henshaw said the previous night, the police had invaded his church, harassing him and threatening to detain him should he allow YPP to attend the church.

Two days earlier, while the YPP officials were trying to secure a church for the dedication of its national assembly campaigns due to start on October 3, 2022, the Apostolic Mount Olive Church in Awa Iman, the governor’s village, which was the initial venue, was sealed off by policemen from Ikot Akpan Abia, allegedly on the orders of the government.

Thugs were reported to have been deployed to block off the entrance of the church on Sunday morning,in anticipation that YPP will force its way there, after the preacher-in charge, Prophet David, had earlier been warned not to host the party.

Not bothered by the development, the governorship candidate of the YPP and frontline runner for the Hilltop mansion in the State, Obong Albert Bassey Akpan stressed that only God enthrones and unseats governments.

“God unseats governments and enthrones governments and that same God who made Obong Attah governor; who made Godswill Akpabio governor; and who made Udom Emmanuel governor will also make me governor,”  the senator said.

 “We are a people others rejected but God saw our sincerity of mind and is using us to achieve His purpose,” he added.

He predicted that YPP will shock other parties, through the mass support of the people so that “when we come in, we will not behave like them:”

He said like God told Samuel, God is going to do something in Akwa Ibom that ears will hear and marvel.

He lamented a situation where YPP has been blocked from all the public venues in the state, including Ibom Hall, Ikot Ekpene Stadium and even some churches in Onna.

YPP is the party with the strongest candidates, he said, adding: “You must not belong to occultic circles before they give you opportunity”.

Senator Akpan  also questioned why the member of Mbo defected but his seat was not declared vacant in the state House of Assembly but when Usoro Akpanusoh and Asuquo Nanna were suspected to belong to YPP, their seats were declared vacant.

“Whether they like it or not, Akwa Ibom will be free”, he said, adding that “YPP is for service to the people and now is the time”.

Akparawa Ephraim Inyang , speaking on behalf of other candidates, made a covenant with God and pledged that when they become victorious, he will sponsor the refurbishment of the entire church.

As a secret for constant replenishing, Inyangeyen encouraged people to always sow into God’s hand and expect multiplication, later.

In his homily, Apostle Evans Adam said God was prepared to take Akwa Ibom out of misery. “For every generation, God prepares a man that will  take the people to a destination.

“ He may not be our choice but God prepares him for the next champion. May you never miss the opportunity God has given to us by chosing and voting wrongly”, he said.

Drawing from Ezekiel 21: 27, Adam said: “God will overturn because he has heard the cries of his people, not to please a man.”

The pastor also said God will pick a man after his heart; a man with a track record and legacy to change the story of the people for the better.

“When God sends a Moses, he sends a man who has felt the pain before. He sends a man that has left a legacy…He sends a man that has the power and influence to help the people to do the right thing”, he added.

“If you follow a man that knows the way, you will not miss the way”, Adam said.

He then urged the people to vote for transformational leadership identified by its selfless contributions, when the time comes, to “push God’s agenda”.

While dedicating the National Assembly campaigns, Prophet David Udo Udo, reading from Lev 26:36, prayed God to use  “the sound of a shaken leaf” to change the heart of many Akwa Ibom voters in favour of the Young Progressives Party (YPP).