APC PDP set politics aside to honour Bishop Akubeze (photos)

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) set politics aside on Friday, April 22 as top gladiators of both parties stormed the St Paul’s Catholic Church, Benin City, to honour 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.

READ ALSO: APC politicians that can cost the party its power

The sitting arrangement was mixed as politics was completely set aside. The governor sat next to Chief Anenih, who sat next to Mr Orbih, who sat next to Chief Odigie-Oyegun. The political rivals exchanged pleasantries and complimentaries.

Edo State Governor, 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.”

READ ALSO: Delta LP denies merger talks with APC

He congratulated the Archbishop of Benin Catholic Archdiocese on the 10th anniversary of his Episcopal ordination, saying “let me on behalf of myself, my family, the government and the good people of Edo State congratulate my lord on this occasion. Sir, I want to give thanks to God for sending you to us to bring us closer to Him. I can testify, as someone who has had the rare privilege of meeting, associating and having conversations with you on a variety of issues, and I am humbled by your uncommon humility, calmness and warmth.

“I think we all have every reason to give thanks to God for what He has used Your Grace to do in this State for our people, and even the support we have enjoyed from you in government. Just to say that we in Edo State are honoured to have the privilege of playing host to so many catholic bishops from around the country and several other clergy from various parts of the country.”

The ceremony was attended by people from all walks of life including the John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Bishop of Abuja Catholic Diocese, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief John Odigie Oyegun, Edo State chairman of APC, Mr. Anslem Ojezua, the State Deputy Governor, Dr Pius Odubu, former BOT Chairman of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, PDP Chairman, Edo State, Mr Dan Orbih, among others.

While the APC and the PDP are seeing eye to eye in Edo state at the moment, it is not the same with the PDP governor in Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, whose frequent insults and vituperations against President Muhammadu Buhari have crossed the boundary of free speech.

See photos below:

From left: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Chief Tony Anenih, former BOT Chairman, PDP and Mr. Dan Orbih, PDP Chairman, Edo State

From left: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Chief Tony Anenih, former BOT Chairman, PDP, Mr. Dan Orbih, PDP Chairman, Edo State and Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, APC National Chairman at the 10th Episcopal Ordination Anniversary celebration of Most Rev Augustine Akubeze at St Paul Catholic Church, Benin City, on Friday.

John Cardinal Onaiyekan Archbishop of Abuja and Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State at the 10th Episcopal Ordination Anniversary celebration of Most Rev Augustine Akubeze at St Paul Catholic Church, Benin City, on Friday.

From left: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Chief Tony Anenih, former BOT Chairman, PDP, Mr. Dan Orbih, PDP Chairman, Edo State and Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, APC National Chairman at the 10th Episcopal Ordination Anniversary celebration of Most Rev Augustine Akubeze at St Paul Catholic Church, Benin City, on Friday.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State (left) and Mr. Dan Orbih, PDP Chairman, Edo State (right) with them (sitting) is Chief Tony Anenih, former BOT Chairman, PDP at the 10th Episcopal Ordination Anniversary celebration of Most Rev Augustine Akubeze ‎

The post APC, PDP set politics aside to honour Bishop Akubeze (photos) appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM.

loading...