Adventist World Leader Charges Otti, Ikpeazu To Sheath Their Swords

The General Conference President of Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Ted Wilson has urged the incumbent and former governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti and Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu to work for the interest of the state.

Recall that, there was no love lost between Otti and Ikpeazu since 2015 till date, especially following the decision of the incumbent administration set-up a committee to probe the administration of the former governor of the state. A situation, that has generated bad blood not just among church members, but Abians as a whole.

Wilson who was speaking at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba, the commercial nerve of the state on Saturday during a church service to mark the end of a week-long Centenary celebration of the Eastern Nigeria Union Conference (ENUC) of the church emphasized on the need for both Otti and Ikpeazu to put their political differences behind and work for Abians.

The Adventist church World Leader who reminded Otti and Ikpeazu that they were also brothers of the same faith noted that both of them could work to bring more progress to the state if they should put away their political differences and reconcile.

“The former and current governor of Abia State are both Adventists. And to the two of you, my dear brothers, you are brothers in Christ.

“The two of you, working together under the power of the Holy Spirit, can bring about amazing forward progress and reconciliation to help the people of the great state of Abia.”

The church leader in his homily charged parishioners and Christians not to allow anything to distract them from their race to eternal life, especially at a period like this in the world and Nigeria where a lot of persons were being distracted by the present realities and challenges.

According to the Adventist leader, the church members and Christians should not allow their social, religious and political differences distract them from preaching the word of God to others that they need to save.

He urged members to take away pride, self and pray without season, adding that God is calling everyone to be part of His second coming evangelism.

Wilson while encouraging members to participate in politics, urged the state and federal government to consider shifting elections, exams and among other state functions and activities on Saturdays to enable Adventists members to participate.

This is even as he stated that holding such critical events on such days would deny members of the church the opportunity of being part of the exercise of their civil rights and obligations.

Gov. Otti in his speech while stating that his administration was always willing to work with the church and other bodies in various areas of interest said “My decision to go into public service is in clear furtherance of the conviction I picked up as a child that the best way to live is to serve others in selflessness, and with compassion.

“As the governor of this great state, elected by God’s children of all denominations and spiritual leanings, I am always conscious of the fact that I am nothing but a steward who must discharge the functions of the office in fairness to all people, applying the resources available to me to fight the menace of poverty and material wretchedness, sad realities that have weakened the faith of many.

“We shall therefore collectively explore proper channels of partnership where the government can work with the church and other interested organisations to expand the frontiers of learning for millions of our young ones whose future, I am very passionate about.

“Our government will also be keen to partner with the church in other social service areas, particularly health and poverty alleviation, especially for our women in rural communities.

“In line with the above, my doors will always be open to engage with the leaders of the church and those of other faith from time to time on areas of shared interests as we work in unity to serve God’s children in love, and without discrimination for reasons of faith and religious beliefs.”