Emmanuel: My Only Regret Was Not Having Control over Policies

Okon Bassey in Uyo

Immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has said his only regret as governor was that he did not have control over policies.

He, however, expressed gratitude to the people of the state for standing by him on the ‘awesome’ moments he had as the governor, saying there were spiritual forces against the governor.

While re-affirming the fact that he never compromised his faith in the supreme power of God, who saw him through, he said he went to work as governor with a blueprint, and despite all his accomplishments, his only regret was that he did not have control over policies.

“The only regret I have is that I did not control policies. If I had control over policies as a state, trust me, we would have been miles ahead as a state. But today, I still thank God that we went with our blueprint and God helped us.”

Emmanuel, who spoke at a thanksgiving/welcome service in his honour and wife, Martha by the United Evangelical church, recounted the unfortunate incident of the Church building collapse on December 10, 2016, saying his narrow escape in the building remained a mystery as only God could explain.

“The place I was sitting, the central beam from the ceiling shattered the white seat where I was sitting, I don’t know but I came out alive without even a scratch. Most importantly, we want to thank God that we went into Government House complete, we left complete not one of us is missing.

“Throughout my ten years, because I was SSG before I became Governor. One of the things I cherished, is that throughout that period, God did not stop speaking to me,” he said, reiterating that there were spiritual forces against a governor.

Speaking, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, lauded his immediate predecessor, and wife, describing them as a gift from God to Akwa Ibom people.

The governor said whether people say it out openly or not, the indelible imprints the former governor left behind were well appreciated by all well-meaning people.

The Governor likened the reception ceremony to the events of the last day of humanity on earth, “when we finish here and get back home to see Jesus standing to receive us back, saying welcome home my good and faithful servant.”