“Refuse to be a critic full of bias toward others, and you will not be judged.” — Matthew 7:1
[Press Release] We have read, with concern and disappointment, a press statement issued by Rev. Fr. Jude Orah, Director of Social Communication and Printing Press of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, following a press conference titled “Setting the Record Straight: St. Philomena College of Nursing is not Government Owned.”
While the Church reserves the right to clarify ownership of its institutions, the tone and content of the release are troubling. It is a sad commentary on the deepening culture of bias, judgment, and partisanship, even within the spiritual space that should be above such tendencies and from men who otherwise are revered as holy, divinely inspired and discerning.
To be clear: at no point during the July 26, 2026 interview with Charles Aniagolu on Arise TV did Senator Adams Oshiomhole mention the name “St. Philomena Hospital College of Nursing.” He made no direct reference to that institution. In response to a question about Mr. Peter Obi’s recent visit to a School of Nursing in Benin City, Senator Oshiomhole assumed, based on his knowledge as a former governor, that the facility visited was the state-owned School of Nursing and Midwifery, which is owned, managed and fully funded by the Edo State government.
That was a simple assumption, made without malice or intention to mislead. But rather than seek clarification or engage in good faith, the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City chose to interpret this honest mistake as deliberate misinformation.
It is unfortunate that the Archdiocese chose to stretch a harmless human error into a narrative of intentional falsehood, seemingly to satisfy the leadership’s political and perhaps ethnic bias.
Even more disturbing is the tone of moral superiority that accompanied the accusation. One would have expected a more tempered and reconciliatory approach, especially from the Church. Instead, what we see is a continuation of a pattern.
With the tone and content of the press statement, it is obvious that some priests still exhibit remnant attitudes of the 2023 campaign era, when many of them turned the altar into partisan podiums, coercing congregants to support Peter Obi’s political ambition.
For the record, Senator Oshiomhole has always maintained deep respect for the Catholic Church, not just as a faith institution, but as a moral compass in society. As a devout, practising Catholic himself, he understands the sacredness of the pulpit and the responsibility that comes with spiritual leadership.
It is also important to remind the public that during a particularly turbulent period in the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, when accusations of ethnic bias in priest postings under the current Archbishop sparked protests, open revolts and division, it was Senator Adams Oshiomhole, as Governor of Edo State, who stood with the Church to quell the crisis. His intervention helped to preserve unity within the Archdiocese at a time when ethnicity threatened to tear it apart.
Today, it is both ironic and shameful that the same man who helped stabilize the Church in Edo State is now being targeted by it. It is even more shameful that while the Archdiocese celebrates the political visit of Peter Obi, it completely ignores and erases the enduring support Oshiomhole has given to the Church, both in public office and as a devoted member.
Senator Oshiomhole will not engage in a war of words with the Church. But he will also not stand by while his name is falsely portrayed and his good faith actions twisted to suit partisan ends. God sees the heart and knows the difference between a genuine error and a manufactured outrage. He also sees those who hide behind the cassock to push political agendas.
Senator Oshiomhole remains committed to truth, integrity, and respectful engagement across faith, politics, and ethnicity. He will continue to speak honestly, act boldly, and stand firmly for unity and justice, regardless of who chooses to misrepresent him.
God sees the truth. He knows who speaks from a place of mischief,and who speaks in good faith,even when there is an error. He will judge both the word and intention behind it because He alone is omniscient.
Signed
Hon. Victor Oshioke
Chief of Staff to H.E Senator Adams Aliyu Eric Oshiomhole mni, CON, GSSRS. (Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District)
Abuja, July 31, 2025.
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