Governors, PDP Stalwarts Absent at Osunbor's 57th Birthday
Low attendance by fellow Governors and political bigwigs nearly marred Governor Oserheimen Osunbor's 57th birthday anniversary celebrations yesterday at the Government House chapel under the supervision of Bishop Paul Aghedo of the Defender Gospel Ministry, Benin with the support of Pastor Peter Imasuen of the St. Mathew Cathedral, Benin.

Outside his cabinet members and some members of his faction of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and a few local government council chairmen, the celebration was sparsely attended. Conspicuously absent were members of the Chief Tony Anenih faction of the PDP, a signpost to the fact that the purported fence mending undertaken recently by the governor was nothing but a fluke. Also noticeable was the absence of the governor's colleagues from the other states of the federation.

None of them deemed it fit to send a representative to the event. Responding to Niger Delta STANDARD'S inquiries on the low turnout at the governor's birthday celebration, Tony Ikpasaja, his Special Adviser on Publicity and Media, said that it was a low key celebration. Adding his voice, Dan Aigbavboa, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, stressed that nobody was invited for the event as it was meant to be low keyed.

The first Bible Reading at the epoch occasion was by the celebrant, Professor Osunbor while the second reading was by his wife, Lady Ussieh Osunbor. In his message of exhortation titled "Be Thou Exalted", Reverend Peter Obadan, a one time Deputy Governor of the state, said God will deliver the governor from his enemies within his household and kinsmen. "He will deliver you from unfaithful commissioners, special advisers and special assistants you have around you and who build trenches round you.

Those of them with the spirit of Ahithophel and Judas Iscariot will go down like Ahithophel and Judas. God will deliver you from civil servants that have earned your favour and still work against your administration. Some of them are implacable enemies," Rev. Obadan said. He admonished the governor not to feel safe cohabiting with his enemies, adding that if satan is allowed a foothold it would build a stronghold. The former Deputy Governor called on the celebrant to trust in God and act like David.

Isaac Olamikan, Benin


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