The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, has stated that genuine reconciliation is essential for enhancing development, growth, and progress in the state.
Eno, while speaking at the 24th Eket Field Annual Convention of The Apostolic Church on Sunday, urged the electorates to eschew hatred and put the past behind them.
Bellnews understands that the deep ethno-political division in the state has become wider following the governor’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, speaking during the service, Eno stated that perfection should not be expected from humans, adding that as the Heavenly Father forgives the sins of humans, so should humans forgive one another.
“Not that we are perfect, but the love of God has helped us to have the goodwill of the people. We must therefore learn to easily forgive and reconcile with one another as true Christians for our overall good,” he admonished.
The governor, therefore, implored the people to learn to leave the past in the past, stressing that “what I do is, I learn from the past; I forgive and move on, but I won’t give you the opportunity to repeat the mistake
“For me, forgiveness is the cardinal thing in life, which has greatly helped us as a state. Let us cultivate this virtue of forgiveness and learn to let things go for our common good and progress.”
According to him, any community that practices “an eye for an eye” will soon have everyone go blind.
“If God, by His grace, raised you, you don’t go about victimising people. Instead, you should learn to thank God and bring everybody together, reconciling the people. For me, I have learned to reconcile with everyone irrespective of their personality or differences in our lives,” he added.
Governor Eno appreciated the church for its fervent prayers and support for the continued success of his administration, as well as during his electioneering in 2023