By Austen Akhagbeme

Dr Azemhe Azena, the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, Governorship Candidate in the upcoming election in Edo state, has sent a condolence message to the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City on the death of its leader, Archbishop Patrick Ebosele Ekpu.

In a statement released by his media team on Tuesday evening, Dr Azemhe Azena extolled the virtues of the departed nonagenarian priest, who has served the Church community meritoriously and the Catholic Church in Edo State in particular, for many decades.

“His legacy as a spiritual leader for many years and his tireless efforts at upholding the doctrine of the Catholic Church while strengthening the laity throughout the region, will engrave him in the hearts of many for a very long time to come” , he said.

The youthful gubernatorial candidate, however, gave thanks to God for the long and impactful life Archbishop Ekpu lived “which has helped to raise so many leaders within the Catholic Church and beyond”, he added.

As contained in the letter announcing his demise and signed by the Councellor of the Benin Archdiocese, Very Rev Fr Michael Oyanoafoh, the late Archbishop Patrick Ebosele Ekpu, who was a popular leader of the Catholic Church for many years, died on Tuesday evening at the age of 92, after a brief illness.