•Ighodalo hints of Ecumenical Centre, Thanksgiving Day for Edo if elected

The Edo State chapters of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Saturday endorsed the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the September 21, governorship election in the state, Dr Asue Ighodalo, and his running mate, Barr. Osarodion Ogie, as their candidate of choice.

The endorsement and prayer rain for their victory in the coming election was the highpoint of the PFN’s 2024 Edo State School of Ministry at the PCU-PFN administrative headquarters by Egba Junction along Benin-Auchi Road. The 2024 version of the yearly event which was tagged, ‘Walking in dominion’ had over 100 ministers from various ministries in attendance.

Speaking at the occasion, PFN state Chairman, Pastor Dr. (Mrs) M.O. Agbonifo, said the Christian body was delighted to have Ighodalo and his running mate present with them and that they had no single doubt that they were the best pair for the top job in the state.

She said the PFN had sought God’s face and got assurances that Dr Asue Ighodalo is without doubt the right man for the job and that he would be the next governor of the state. She then added a humorous angle to her speech when she declared that another candidate also from Edo Central had approached them with a promise of a Coastal Bus but delivered a Sienna, saying it was akin to a man promising to give a cow but delivered a goat, to which the gathering roared in laughter. She then wondered if a man who made a promise before God and failed would ever honour any promise he could have made to man.

Also speaking at the event, Edo State First Lady, Mrs Betsy Obaseki, who represented Governor Godwin Obaseki, expressed gratitude to the Church for the immense support given to her husband both in 2016 and 2020 and which it has now extended to the candidate of the PDP. She added that, “I correct the sacrilege committed by the other candidate by donating the Coaster bus, because we value the church and hold it in very high esteem”. She was particularly thankful to the PFN and CAN for adopting and accepting Ighodalo as the church’s candidate.

The State CAN Chairman, Apostle General, Dr. Irekpono Omoike, then formally announced the endorsement and led the outpouring of prophetic prayers for the success and victory of Ighodalo and his running mate at the election.

In his acceptance and appreciation speech punctuated with intermittent applause and shouts of approval, Ighodalo expressed gratitude to the Church, saying he was really humbled by the gesture. Ighodalo on behalf of himself and Ogie promised a 100KVA generator for the administrative centre.

“Permit me to express my profound gratitude to this august body of Christ. I am really humbled by the trust and confidence reposed on me. And I promise you, I won’t disappoint you or let you down. I wish to say this, too, that Edo State, like some other states, should have an Ecumenical Centre as a further step to fostering unity within the Christian faith in Edo State and we will ensure everybody has the freedom to practice and observe his faith without let or hindrance .More also, we will institute an Edo Thanksgiving Day, a day set aside in the year to thank God for everything. More so, on behalf of myself and my running mate, we will provide a 100KVA generator to power this administrative centre. We will ensure these happen when we come into office,” Ighodalo assured.

In a brief speech, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo of the Trinity House Church, Lagos, who is the younger brother of the candidate, emphasized that the election in September transcends partisan contest and that it is essentially a contest between the forces of light and darkness in Edo State. He said that anyone who had come across his brother would know that he represents light and that he would light up Edo State. He then pledged to donate N5 million Naira towards fuel for 100KVA generator promised by his brother.

•PHOTO: Edo State CAN Chairman, Apostle General, Dr Irekpono Omoike, leading the prayer session for Dr Asue Ighodalo and his running mate Barr Osarodion Ogie at the event after the endorsement on Saturday in Benin City.

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