Bishop’s 10th ordination anniversary celebration unites Edo APC, PDP

Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole; former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih; Edo State PDP Chairman, Mr. Dan Orbih; and National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, at the 10th Episcopal Ordination anniversary celebration of Most Rev. Augustine Akubeze at St Paul Catholic Church, Benin City…yesterday.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state yesterday set politics aside, as top gladiators of both parties stormed the St Paul’s Catholic Church, Benin City, to honor Most Rev. Dr Augustine Obiora Akubeze, Archbishop of Benin Catholic Archdiocese on his 10th Episcopal ordination anniversary celebration.
The APC was led by the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and had Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, Mr.Anselm Ojezua, Edo State APC Chairman, among others in the church while the PDP was led by the party’s former BOT Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih and had Mr. Dan Orbih, Edo State PDP Chairman, Chief Tom Ikimi among others in the church.
The sitting arrangement was mixed as politics was completely set aside. The Governor sat next to Anenih who sat next to Orbih who sat next to Odigie-Oyegun. The political rivals exchanged pleasantries and complimentaries.
Oshiomhole, who was Special Guest, called on Catholic Bishops and other clergy to continue to pray for Nigerian leaders so that their decisions and actions would reflect the teachings of Christ and induce greater advantage for Nigerians. He said: “Allow me to say, that we in government need more of your prayers. I wish to use this privilege of being here to appeal to Catholic Bishops to continue to pray for Nigeria as you have always done, and in particular ask God in His infinite mercy and powers to touch our hearts, as public officers who are entrusted with the resources of our great country, that we may always remember that the privileges we exercise, the powers we purport to possess, is not of our merit but of the grace of our Lord, and in exercising those powers, that we may do so in a way that reflects the teachings of Christ, so that Nigeria and Nigerians shall benefit from the decisions we take every minute, every hour, every day, every year.”