By Lucky Isibor
The College of Bishops in the Peaceful and Visionary Christian Leaders Organisation (PVCLO), also known as Consensus Christian Leaders Forum (CCLF) and other church leaders across the eighteen Local Government Areas of Edo State have endorsed the candidature of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Asurinmen Ighodalo (Esq) ahead the 21 September state governorship election.
Making the declaration on Saturday, 15 June at the headquarters of the Gospel Defenders Ministries on Lucky Way, Ikpoba Hill, Benin City, the church leaders noted that they started fasting and praying since November 2023, seeking the face of God and that it is the time to unveil the candidate with the fear of God.
Speaking on behalf of the College of Bishops and Archbishops, the General Overseer of Gospel Defenders Ministries Int. Inc. Archbishop Fred Aghedo urged Ighodalo to ensure he does not betray the confidence Edo people repose in him.
"The Peaceful and Visionary Christian Leaders Organisation (PVCLO) made up of over 300 Archbishops, Bishops and church leaders have been fasting and praying since November 2023 for God's direction ahead the Edo State 2924 governorship election.
"This body has gathered together on two occasions since the beginning of 2024 to review their position and it was revealed that we tarry awhile to get a clear message from the Holy Spirit as directed by God Almighty".
While urging Ighodalo to give voice to all those who will soon be coming to join him from other political parties, Aghedo admonished those who are planning to manipulate the election to have a rethink so as not to incur the wrath of God.
"You have been chosen by God Almighty and we urge you not to disappoint the people. We urge you to accommodate all Edo people, both at home and in the Diaspora. Embrace all Edo people and unite them irrespective of political, religious and ethnic persuasion.
"Many people are coming from the different parties to work for your gubernatorial election and by the time you win, accommodate all of them in your government as much as the resources of the state will permit.
While forming your government on assumption of office, bring on board a broad spectrum of Edo people irrespective of their political learning.
"As you go about your campaigns, we urge you to give voice to all those who are on their way to join you in your party and ensure they're not discriminated against, because many are on the fence and are afraid to join because of uncertainties in their political career. Give them hope and assurance.
"As for those who believe they will not campaign for the election, but are hovering round the corridors of the electoral umpire on how to upload fictitious results in their favour, we'll continue to pray that their evil devices will come to ruin in Jesus name.
I urge the College of Bishops and other church leaders, and members of their congregation to continue to pray that the evil plans of election riggers will fail in Jesus name. We urge Edo people to continue to pray for a peaceful and violent free election on 21 September".
Responding, the PDP governorship candidate, Ighodalo vowed that the only way he can reciprocate the honour done him and for their support is to give governance his all and take the people from poverty to prosperity.
"The only way I can repay the Bishops and members of the church is to make sure that by the grace of God almighty when we become the government of Edo State we will work tirelessly for our people, we love our people, we'll take our people from poverty to prosperity and we'll do so working in the path of God almighty and in his shadow and with focus. I promise I'll make you proud. I'll give governance my best, I'll work hard and by God's grace we shall create a new Edo State of prosperity, of strength and of love".
Speaking with newsmen after the church service, His Eminence, Archbishop Julius Ediwe who is the president of Council of Bishops in Nigeria and president of Niger Delta Bishops & Ministers Forum, noted that whenever the College of Bishops and Archbishops of the PVCLO endorse a candidate for election as they did to Ighodalo, God has never failed adding that they did the same for Governor Godwin Obaseki in 2020 and thanked God for his faithfulness.
"God has never failed us when we pray for people like this as we did for Governor Godwin Obaseki in 2020, it is the same way God has pointed to Asue Ighodalo, God has spoken that we should pray for him. The Council of Bishops in Edo State have been praying and today we had the privilege to receive him in the church here where all the Bishops gathered with pastors and men and women all over the place to pour anointing on him, to let Edo people know that when anointing has been given to David no man can fight him. I want to say that God has anointed him today to become a leader and we saw in him the wisdom and fear of God.
"I urge all the men of God to be praying for him and urge Edo people to support him, this is a candidate that God has poured anointing. You can see dews now dripping after the ceremony. That is a symbol of God's victory, anytime you do something like this and you see dew or little rain drizzling, that is blessing, to tell Edo people that this man will bring blessing to Edo people".
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