Fathers of Faith reaffirm stand against cultism, occult ahead of 2023
By Edidiong Udobia
The Spiritual Fathers’ Forum has reaffirmed its stand against supporting individuals who are members of occult or cult groups to contest in the 2023 governorship election of Akwa Ibom state or any other position in the state.
The Forum, which made this known yesterday during a press conference, noted that her members are worried over the heightened threats to safety and security in the state as a result of the increased cult-related activities, adding that cultism has become a menace in the state.
Addressing the press, the chairman of the Forum, His Eminence, Sunday Mbang said that the Forum is taking the stand as the spiritual fathers of the state because Akwa Ibom is a predominantly Christian state.
“Once again, be reminded that Akwa Ibom State is more than 90% Christian. However, in the church, government, public and private services of the state, as well as in our tertiary, secondary and even primary schools today, cultism has crawled in as canker worm to destroy our citizens.
“Christianity is a religion of peace, while cultism is a form of religious worship that permits that permits the administration of and devotion to a person or thing which often times uses violence to ensure perpetuation of belief.
“Cultists are devotees not believers. Whereas cultists are devoted to their leaders, Christians are devoted to Jesus Christ and God the Father. Cultism has polluted the character and behaviour of our youths and even minor children”.
The clergy further revealed that cultists are have strong interests in politics and governance in order to expand their grip of the state and are recruiting through deception and provision of material incentives and benefits.
“We cannot, as Christian leaders, allow the continuous perversion of the characters and spirits of our citizens, hence our opposition to cultism, spreading its evil tentacles in our state and nation.
“We are committed to praying, counselling and openly working to ensure that peace and progress subsist in our state and nation and our children and citizens saved from the suffocating and alluring hold of cultists and occultist.
“Therefore, the Spiritual Fathers’ Forum cannot and will not support the election of a known cultist into our political system and political offices”, Prelate Mbang affirmed.
When quizzed on how the Forum can identify a cultist, the renowned clergyman disclosed that 13 aspirants have consulted him and he told them to go and hold a world press conference declaring that they do not belong to any cult or occult groups.
“So far, 13 aspirants have visited me on consultation. I told them to go to the press and renounce cultism. Without doing this, they would not govern this state. Christians would not vote for them. We are still waiting for them”.
