Benin – The Bishop of the Anglican Communion, Benin Diocese, Rt. Rev. Peter Imasuen, has called on Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo to extend a hand of fellowship to other candidates he defeated in the Sept. 28 governorship election.
Imasuen made the call during Thanksgiving Service at St. Peter’s Church in honour of the governor and his deputy, Mr Philip Shuaibu, in Benin on Sunday
Obaseki and Shuaibu took oath of office at at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin on Saturday.
The Anglican bishop urged the governor not to abandon his defeated opponents but to see how they could contribute meaningful ideas in the interest of the masses.
He urged the governor to dedicate his administration to God and the service of the citizens, through human capital development and job creation.
He also admonished Obaseki to place his trust in God rather than depend solely on his political advisers
The governor described the church as a barometer of the larger society.
Obaseki said governance was a shared responsibility that could set the social compass on the right path, noting that he would do what was right before God.
“I am very cognisant of the fact that the Church is an accurate barometer of our social situation. So, it would be a tragedy if I ignore the church in my administration.
“I assure you that I will do all that which I believe is right before God. But pray for us.’’
He promised to personally donate five million naira annually for the training of priests in the Anglican Communion.
President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Dr Felix Omobude prayed for Obaseki.
Obaseki succeeded Mr Adams Oshiomhole, whose two terms of four years each, ended on Saturday.
