Former Governor Peter Obi has described the founder of the Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo, as an exceptional servant of God.

Mr Obi said this in a congratulatory message to Mr Oyedepo, who clocked 70 on Friday.

The message was posted on Mr Obi’s X handle by his media aide, Ibrahim Umar.

The former governor said that Mr Oyedepo had remained a remarkable figure in faith, a dedicated servant in God’s vineyard, and a leader who exemplified the true purpose of God’s creation.

“Your life continues to be a source of blessing, reflecting dedication, tireless work and commitment to God’s mission. Through your ministry, countless lives have been touched, embodying faith, hope and love.

“Outstanding institutions such as Living Faith Church, Covenant University and Kingdom Heritage Model School stand as lasting testimonies to your pursuit of excellence.

“Today, we honour your enduring legacy, your compassionate outreach and your immense contribution to humanity,” Mr Obi said.

He prayed to God to strengthen, guide and bless the cleric more.

“Thank you for being a beacon of God’s grace. Your remarkable journey will inspire generations to embrace faith, integrity and purposeful living.

“May your continued intervention through prayer in the affairs of our country help us to find direction for a new Nigeria,” Mr Obi said. 

Messrs Obi and Oyedepo were involved in a leaked telephone call scandal in the build-up to the 2023 presidential election. Mr Obi threatened to sue Peoples Gazette for reporting the scandal.

Mr Obi, the Labour Party’s standard-bearer, saw the February 25, 2023, exercise as a battle to assert the place of Christians in the country, bootstrapping his candidacy out of a polarised cycle set off by Bola Tinubu’s religiously-tinged Muslim-Muslim nomination. 

The election was largely a three-way race between Messrs Obi, Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar, a former vice-president who ran again on the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party line. 

(NAN)