The Catholic Bishop of the Ekwulobia Diocese, His Eminence Peter Cardinal Okpaleke, was congratulated by the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, after receiving the Red Hat from His Holiness, Pope Francis, at a Consistory in Rome on Saturday. Cardinal Okpaleke was praised by Obi in his message of congratulations as being a tremendous asset to not only the church in Nigeria but also the entire church.
According to Obi, Okpaleke’s qualities of patience, understanding, and broad viewpoints on situations continue to be some of the important qualities that have helped him advance in his priestly vocation. “By this ecclesiastical function, you have thus become a fully-fledged Prince of the Universal Church,” Obi remarked
Obi complimented Okpaleke’s excellent behavior while serving as a teacher, priest, administrator, and bishop, stating that he had accumulated valuable expertise that would be beneficial to him in his new position. Speaking to reporters after the event at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Obi expressed his happiness with the amount of Nigerians from various regions and religious backgrounds who came to support another Nigerian on such an important occasion. He claimed that Nigerians are known for having a strong sense of love and solidarity. Obi claimed that Nigeria’s political system desperately needs a spirit of unity that transcends tribalism, particularly in light of the country’s recent severe damage from the combined effects of poor leadership.
He asked God to keep blessing the cleric and grant him more discernment so he could continue to tend the flock entrusted to his care. Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the governor of Anambra State, also expressed his happiness that one of the newly-elected Cardinals is a Nigerian and specifically from Anambra.
He claimed that especially now that the state was about to reclaim its prominence, he is deserving of admiration.
