By Rita Mokobia
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Sunday declared that politicians who undermine or fail to honour spiritual fathers risk political and personal downfall, stressing that divine guidance remains critical to leadership and societal stability.
The governor spoke during a special thanksgiving service held at the Word of Life Bible Church, Warri, in honour of prominent clerics, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and Archbishop Felix Omobude, following their survival from a recent air incident described by many worshippers as miraculous.
Governor Oborevwori, who delivered an emotional goodwill message at the gathering, praised the enduring influence and spiritual contributions of Pastor Oritsejafor, whom he described as a father of faith whose ministry had transformed countless lives across Nigeria and beyond.
The governor said he considered it important to personally attend the thanksgiving service, noting that the occasion was a celebration of God’s mercy and preservation rather than a moment of mourning.
“Today, I am standing before our Fathers of Faith, and I feel deeply honoured to be here. Yesterday, I told my Deputy Governor that we must attend this celebration because this is not a funeral gathering but a celebration of God’s faithfulness and mercy,” Oborevwori stated.
The governor, accompanied by his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, and other top government officials, recalled his longstanding relationship with Oritsejafor and commended the cleric’s unwavering commitment to the Christian faith and humanity.
He said the large turnout of respected ministers and worshippers from different locations was a reflection of the enormous impact Pastor Oritsejafor had made through mentorship, evangelism, and humanitarian service over the years.
Oborevwori further disclosed that he deliberately left home early to ensure he arrived promptly for the service because of the significance he attached to the event and the personalities involved.
Reflecting on his political journey, the governor attributed his victories and survival through difficult periods, including legal battles, to divine intervention and the prayers of spiritual leaders.
“We thank God for preserving him and Archbishop Felix Omobude. We cannot imagine what the story would have been if God had not intervened,” he said.
The governor also commended Oritsejafor for raising generations of men, women, and youths who are making positive impacts globally, while urging believers to emulate the teachings and values of respected spiritual leaders.
“Fathers of Faith continue to pray for us and encourage us to do more for the people. Any politician who undermines Fathers of Faith is doomed because spiritual guidance and prayers are very important in leadership,” the governor declared.
Oborevwori revealed that before exiting his former political party, he sought prayers and spiritual direction from clerics, adding that God had remained faithful throughout his political journey.
Speaking during the thanksgiving service, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor recounted several life-threatening experiences he had survived over the years, attributing his preservation to God’s mercy and protection.
“I can’t explain it, but I know God loves me and He is a good God,” the cleric said.
Oritsejafor narrated how he once refused persistent pressure to board a helicopter arranged for him, only for the aircraft to later crash shortly after takeoff.
He also recalled another frightening experience during a flight to Lagos when a passenger allegedly threatened to blow up an aircraft before security officials intervened.
According to the cleric, another incident involved a private aircraft in which passengers suddenly struggled to breathe after the cabin allegedly became filled with carbon dioxide.
He disclosed that the pilot later informed them that a strange popping sound heard during the flight should ordinarily have resulted in an explosion, yet the aircraft landed safely in Lagos.
Delivering the sermon at the service, Apostle David Zilly-Aggrey described the thanksgiving gathering as a testimony of God’s divine preservation over His servants.
The cleric said even experts abroad could not fully explain the circumstances surrounding the incident, insisting that only God’s intervention preserved the lives of the church leaders.
He emphasized that thanksgiving remains an acknowledgement of God’s faithfulness, noting that throughout scripture, God had continually shown Himself as the defender and protector of His people.
Apostle Zilly-Aggrey prayed that every plan of tragedy, death, or calamity against God’s people would be frustrated, declaring that God had once again said “No” to death.
