…..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) have endorsed the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the September 21 governorship election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, and his running mate, Barr. Osarodion Ogie, as their preferred candidates.
The endorsement and prayer for their victory took place during the PFN’s 2024 Edo State School of Ministry at the PCU-PFN administrative headquarters by Egba Junction along the Benin-Auchi Road. The event, themed “Walking in Dominion,” was attended by over 100 ministers from various ministries.
Speaking at the occasion, PFN state Chairman, Pastor Dr. (Mrs) M.O. Agbonifo, expressed the Christian body’s delight in having Ighodalo and his running mate present with them, stating, “We have no single doubt that they are the best pair for the top job in the state.” She added a humorous note, recounting how another candidate had approached them with a promise of a Coaster bus but delivered a Sienna, likening it 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.
Edo State First Lady, Mrs Betsy Obaseki, who represented Governor Godwin Obaseki, expressed gratitude for the Church’s immense support for her husband in 2016 and 2020, and its extension to the PDP candidate. “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 said.
The State CAN Chairman, Apostle General, Dr. Irekpono Omoike, formally announced the endorsement and led the outpouring of prophetic prayers for the success and victory of Ighodalo and his running mate.
In his acceptance speech punctuated with intermittent applause and shouts of approval, Ighodalo expressed profound gratitude to the Church, saying, “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.” He hinted at plans to build an Ecumenical Centre in Edo State and institute an Edo Thanksgiving Day, and pledged to provide a 100KVA generator to power the PFN administrative centre.
“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”.
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 pledged to donate N5 million towards fuel for the 100KVA generator promised by his brother.