dissociated himself from reports that claimed Christian leaders in
Cross River State were against Governor Ben Ayade's bid for second
term in office.
The General Overseer of the Blessed-Hope Gospel Ministries
International, Bishop Josef Bassey, had last week held an
anti-Governor Ben Ayade press conference in the state.
But in a statement he made available to DAILY POST in Calabar, Pastor
Gabriel Joseph said the convener of the group, Bishop Bassey never
consulted him to seek his consent before going to the press.
He said his attendance at the said press conference was premised on
the fact that he respects Bishop Bassey and thought it would be for a
church programme.
The statement said, "I write to dissociate myself from the news
purported to have been sponsored by Cross River State Christian
Leaders Forum and published in some national dailies and online
platforms on June 23, 2018 berating the people's Governor His
Excellency, Senator Prof Ben Ayade as unworthy candidate for
re-election in 2019.
"Let me state here and categorically too that I was not consulted nor
disclosed to, the content of the brief until when it was read to the
press.
"Bishop Josef Bassey called me at about 11.00pm on the eve of the
briefing and asked me to see him by mid-day the next day and as a
leader in the faith, I did not hesitate, I prepared the next day and
went to his office as we agreed.
"On arrival I noticed huge present of the press men already waiting
for him in the hall and as usual each time he has crusade, I thought
the briefing was about his revival programme which publicity was all
over town and was still running on local media houses.
"As he directed, I prayed for the state, lawmakers, and the entire
citizenry that our people will be stronger, prosperous, live in peace
with God and one another bearing in mind the rival clashes in Calabar
south and other skirmishes in some parts of the state.
"Little did I know that I was acting the script already written by
Pastor Josef Bassey to castigate the people's governor."
The cleric, who said he is "non partisan," added that: "I do not do
things that heats the polity rather what I do always is pray and
advise that right and correct approaches be adopted in governance to
keep the state's socio-economy afloat."
"I therefore without hesitation, disassociate myself from the
purported news conference prepared and read by the Bishop without my
consent and that the content of that press conference does not in any
way represent me nor reflect my position and true character in the
faith.
"Bishop Josef Bassey was the sole masterminder and orchestrated the
media meeting and that I heard the content of that briefing for the
first time as the same time press men were hearing and subsequently
reported.
"I am a peace loving Nigerian and would not do anything to incite,
heat up the already fragile fabric of the state and the polity but
always."
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