The Archbishop of Ondo Catholic Diocese, Bishop Jude Arogundade, has urged politicians to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness to promote development in their constituencies and the country at large.

Mr Arogundade ​‌⁠​‍‍⁠⁠‌‍⁠‍​​​⁠‍‌​also called on them to be magnanimous in praise and remain grateful to God in their political journeys.

The cleric, represented by Rev. Fr. Stephen Omokoga, made the call on Sunday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ikoya, in the Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Mr Arogundade spoke during his sermon at the thanksgiving ceremony organised by Senator Dayo Faduyile to mark his victory in the June 20 senatorial by-election.

Quoting from Ecclesiastes Chapter 27, stated that God was particular about forgiveness, urging Christians to embrace the virtue and be quick to forgive others.

According to him, after an election, politicians know those who voted for them and those who voted against them, stressing: “But the Bible, in the book of Ecclesiastes, is saying we should not take vengeance against anyone.

“Today, Faduyile has come to show appreciation to God because he understands there is virtue in showing gratitude to God.

“As a church, we recommend to him the need to bring development to Ondo South, yet we are confident that based on his medical administration antecedent, he will make the district proud,” he said.

Mr Arogundade further enjoined politicians to always ask themselves what they could do for the people rather than what the people could do for themselves.

In his remarks, Mr Faduyile thanked Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State for his support for him and the people of Ondo South.

He said he had also benefitted from the governor’s goodwill, which he described as his “magic wand” of ‘Lucky Orimisan.”

The senator assured the people of Ondo South senatorial district that government was not resting on its oars in addressing road challenges in the district.

He said while Mr Aiyedatiwa had been working to address the challenges, he had also engaged the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, on roads requiring rehabilitation in the area.

Mr Faduyile said God had shown goodwill to his Igbisin/Oloto ward, noting that several elective positions had passed the area by in the past.

He assured the people that the opportunity given to him to serve as senator representing Ondo South would not be taken for granted.

“I also appreciate Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, who told me after I won the election, ‘Dayo, it is your responsibility to now legislate on behalf of our people; do it well.

“Ikale monarchs too have been very supportive; they are my father’s royal colleagues and they have all adopted me as their son. Today, I want to say your prayers are working for me,” he said.

In his goodwill message, the state APC Chairman, Babatunde Kolawole, described Mr Faduyile as “a round peg in a round hole.”

Mr Kolawole said Mr Faduyile’s experience as a former leader of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Lagos State and at the national level prepared him to represent the interests of Ondo South well in the National Assembly.

“Faduyile, rest assured that the governor is very confident about your capacity and competence to perform, and that is the goodwill message from Ondo State governor.

“On behalf of Ondo State APC, I congratulate you, and I am sure God will give you the enablement to perform,” he said.

Also, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Segun Omojuwa, said the people of Ondo South reposed a lot of trust in Faduyile’s senatorial mandate.

Mr Omojuwa said the people were convinced that the district was in good hands.

“I want to appeal to the senator to work hand-in-hand with Governor Aiyedatiwa. Like the party chairman, Kolawole, just said, the governor has huge confidence in the personality of Faduyile,” he said.

Mr Faduyile of All Progressives Congress (APC) polled 68,474 votes to defeat his closest rival, Adeolu Akinwunmi of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), who scored 1,411 votes in the Ondo South senatorial district by-election held on June 20.

(NAN)