Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has declared that politicians who undermine or disrespect Fathers of Faith are headed for doom, emphasizing that spiritual leaders play a critical role in the stability, guidance, and destiny of society.
The governor made the statement on Sunday during a special thanksgiving service held at Word of Life Bible Church, Warri, in honour of renowned clerics, Ayo Oritsejafor and Felix Omobude, following their survival from a recent air incident.
Speaking during the service, Governor Oborevwori described Pastor Oritsejafor as a spiritual father whose ministry and leadership had transformed countless lives across the world.
“Today, I stand before our Fathers of Faith deeply honoured to be here. This is not a funeral gathering but a celebration of God’s mercy, faithfulness, and preservation,” the governor said.
Governor Oborevwori, who attended the event alongside his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme; Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor; and other government officials, recalled his longstanding relationship with Oritsejafor and commended the cleric’s enduring contributions to Christianity and humanity.
He noted that the large turnout of spiritual leaders and worshippers at the thanksgiving service reflected the enormous impact Oritsejafor had made through mentorship and ministry over the years.
The governor also revealed that he deliberately left home early to ensure he arrived at the church service on time, describing the occasion as one he could not afford to miss.
Reflecting on his political journey, Oborevwori said God had remained faithful through every challenge, including legal and political battles, adding that divine intervention preserved the lives of Pastor Oritsejafor and Archbishop Omobude.
“We cannot imagine what the story would have been if God had not intervened,” he stated.
The governor further stressed the importance of honouring spiritual leaders, noting that Fathers of Faith continue to provide prayers, encouragement, and guidance for leaders and society.
“Any politician who undermines Fathers of Faith is doomed because spiritual guidance and prayers are very important in leadership,” Oborevwori declared.
He disclosed that before leaving his former political party, he sought prayers and blessings from spiritual leaders, expressing gratitude for what he described as God’s continued faithfulness in his life and political career.
Speaking at the service, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor recounted several near-death experiences, saying God had repeatedly preserved him from tragedy over the years.
“I can’t explain it, but I know God loves me and He is a good God,” he said.
The cleric narrated how he once declined repeated pressure to board a helicopter that later crashed after takeoff, as well as another incident involving an alleged threat onboard a flight to Lagos that was foiled by security operatives.
He also recalled a frightening experience aboard a private aircraft where passengers suddenly struggled to breathe after the cabin was allegedly filled with carbon dioxide, adding that the pilot later described their safe landing as miraculous.
Delivering the sermon, Apostle David Zilly-Aggrey described the thanksgiving service as a testimony of God’s divine protection and preservation.
According to him, even experts abroad could not fully explain the air incident, insisting that God alone preserved the lives of the clerics.
He emphasized that thanksgiving remains a powerful acknowledgement of God’s faithfulness and prayed that every plan of tragedy or calamity against God’s people would be cancelled.
