Tinubu Sends Message To Bishop Peter Okpaleke Over Elevation As Cardinal

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has congratulated Bishop Peter Ebere Okpaleke on his elevation to the position of Cardinal.

Naija News reports that Okpaleke, Bishop of Ekwulobia in Anambra State, was over the weekend elevated to Cardinal by Pope Francis at a ceremony held at the Vatican City in Rome, Italy.

He joined the rank of impeccable Catholic clergymen from Nigeria such as Cardinal Francis Arinze, Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie and Cardinal John Onaiyekan who are members of the Conclave.

In a statement on Wednesday, Tinubu described the elevation of Okpaleke as a deserving honour to the Bishop and Nigeria as a country.

Tinubu expressed happiness the Pope and the Catholic Church found Okpaleke worthy of the elevation, saying that his ordaimment is a call for higher service in the vineyard.

The APC presidential candfiate added that the elevation of the Bishop is a further confirmation of the progress of Christianity and the depth of catholicism in Nigeria.

The statement reads: “I most heartily congratulate Bishop Peter Ebere Okpaleke on his ordainment as a Cardinal. This deserving elevation is not one just for the Bishop, but an honour done to Nigeria by Pope Francis.

“It is a thing of great joy that the Pope has found another Nigerian worthy of this elevation. We are happy for this great honour which is also a call for higher service in the vineyard.

“I pray to God that the Catholic Church will continue its many good works in Nigeria and, that with this elevation, Cardinal Okpaleke, shall, through his ministry, further glorify the name of God for the benefit of the Catholic Church, for all the people of Nigeria and for the advancement of humanity.”