‘I’m deeply saddened’ – Peter Obi mourns Archbishop of Benin

Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has mourned the death of Catholic Archbishop of Benin, Augustine Akubeze.

In a post on his verified X handle on Friday, Obi said he was deeply saddened when he heard the news.

He described the late Archbishop as a remarkable and compassionate shepherd – a courageous voice of truth who served the Church and the nation with distinction.

According to him, as former President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, the Archbishop provided exemplary leadership, championing spiritual renewal, justice, peace, and the integral development of the human person The former Anambra state governor prayed God to receive him into His eternal glory, grant him eternal rest, and console all who mourn his passing “I am deeply saddened.

The news is particularly poignant because it comes after I recently had the privilege of seeing him as the homilist at the Thanksgiving Mass marking the 90th birthday of Anthony Cardinal Okogie.

I also cherish the warm moments we shared on that memorable occasion. “His humility, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to the Gospel will remain an inspiration, while his dedication to the welfare of God’s people will never be forgotten. “On behalf of my family, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Archdiocese of Benin City, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, the entire Catholic faithful, and his loved ones,” Obi wrote.