Orubebe makes surprise appearance to Oritsejafor’s church

By: Jolomi Okotie

In what is being seen by political pundits as a move to woo the support of recently elected National President of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe on Sunday August 1, made a surprise appearance to Word of Life Bible Church in Warri.

Elder Orubebe’s appearance at Word of Life Bible Church which is founded by Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor a day after himself and other prominent Nigerians had a breakfast meeting at the Nation’s Capital, Abuja, may not be unconnected with the huge political and social influence the church which is arguably the fastest in Delta State has on the intriguing politics of the state. The former Ibori aide who is speculated to be eyeing the Delta State gubernatorial seat in 2011 was accompanied by a former Chairman of defunct Warri local government and scion of the Omatseye dynasty, Hon. Sonny Omatseye among others.

Both the Honourable Minister who some group of Itsekiri young men acting under the auspices of Itsekiri Regional Development Council recently accused of deliberately marginalizing Itsekiri and other ethnic nationalities to the advantage of the Ijaws in the sitting of NDDC projects and his bosom friend, Hon. Sonny Omatseye who is also rumoured to be eyeing a senatorial ambition in 2011 sat from the beginning of the second service of the church till the about 12:30pm when the service ended.

Two female lawmakers in Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. (Mrs.) Omawumi Udoh who is a member of Word of Life Bible Church, Princess Ajidua and the Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Otumara, three of whom are staunch loyalists of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan were in service when Pastor Ayo acknowledged Orubebe’s presence.

The newly elected CAN National President who also doubles as second time PFN National President did not end the service without using the opportunity to bare his mind on the on-going federal government’s amnesty programme for ex-militants.

According to the widely traveled preacher, the only hole in the post amnesty programme is the lack of involvement of Men of God. Pastor Oritsejafor advised the Minister of Niger Delta who he described as a man of God to use his office to ensure that Preachers of the Word of God are incorporated in the on-going training of ex-militants so as to ensure all round re-orientation as well as development of their minds.