Church leaders in Edo State under the aegis of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) yesterday say Christians in Edo State will do all it takes within the confines of the law, to assist the state Governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole to succeed in office.

The men of God, who paid a courtesy call on the Governor in Government House led by their chairman, Rev. Isaac Ibitobiye said, “the church leaders have confidence in you that your track records and your assumption of office as Governor marked a new era in Edo State. We will seek God’s direction on your behalf and you can call on us for assistance”.

“Our cooperation will enhance God’s blessing on Edo State because, the Church gives spiritual direction to government. It is our responsibility to pray for government because, it is the will of God for Christians to be in authority and the people will rejoice”.

“The prayers of Christians guarantee righteousness and as part of our social responsibility, we are ready to assist and you can deal with us on political matters through this body, (PFN)”.

“On the economic expectation of the Church, we want to ask you to invest on Agriculture, Okpella Cement factory, fertilizer plant, and Agro-Allied matters. We however appreciate you sincerely and salute you for the developmental strides for our dear state, Edo. We are grateful to God for how he raised you up as God’s battle-axe to this enviable position.

“We are committed to you and government because, we believe very much in you. As we work together, it will further strengthen your vision to move the state forward. As we stand with you, we believe that you will further be strengthened and the Lord will keep you and lead you to greater heights”, Rev. Ibitobiye, pastor of the Christian Pentecostal Mission International of Nigeria stated.

In his reaction, Governor Oshiomhole said, “that I am here as a result of your prayers and we are clear about that. It is also clear that, the divine intervention of God brought us here. I appreciate the power of prayers because, if it were by way of money or connection, we would not have been here”.

“Every month we stay here, it is because God has backed us against our adversaries to our advantage. In this too, I crave for your prayers the more. If there are suggestions of how we can do things better, we will call on you to please help”.

“I am a bit hesitant in terms of spending public money on pilgrimage but, I will find ways of assisting the Church of God and not individuals. Your advice on what government should do is very well taken”.

While addressing the economic issue raised by PFN, the Governor said, “We have ensured that fertilizers are distributed to farmers in the state and the closure of Okpella Cement factory is a big embarrassment because, it denies us funds and job creation or employment. However, the factory was privatised and sold by previous governments, and the ownership have also changed severally.

“However, discussions are on-going with the new owners but, I cannot promise that the place will be opened on a specific date. Also on Bendel Feeds where government’s share is 10 percent, it belongs to individuals and not government and the fertilizer plant in Auchi was dead on arrival and cannot function. What it takes to work is equal to establishing a new one. We see the need to support existing businesses and new ones and we now have a deal with Dangote for a fertilizer plant and this will help in area of job creation”, the Governor stated.