Akpabio In Italy, Prays For End To Banditry, Terrorism In Nigeria
Ahead of the 2027 presidential and general elections, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has visited the Prayer Ground of St. Padre Pio at St. Giovanni Rotondo in Italy, where he prayed for peaceful elections and an end to banditry and terrorism in Nigeria.
Akpabio, who spoke with St. Padre Pio TV/Radio in Italy, said he and members of his delegation visited the prayer ground to seek God’s blessings for themselves, their families and Nigeria.
“We are all from Nigeria. We came to offer prayers and get blessings from God for ourselves, families and our dear country that is currently being ravaged by banditry and terrorism,” Akpabio said.
He said the visit to the prayer ground was also an opportunity for the delegation to present their intentions and seek divine intervention for the country.
“We are here on this prayer ground, and we are going home fulfilled, that we were able to touch this Holy ground, drop our intentions, which he will take to God on our behalf,” he said.
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, Akpabio described the prayer ground as a holy site and said he was impressed by the way it had been maintained.
“I am very impressed that the place has been well kept. This is a Holy ground. Some people who are here might not even understand the significance of this ground but those of us who are adherents and followers of PIO, believe in his intercessions,” he said.
Akpabio also recounted his family’s experience, saying St. Pio’s intercession was significant in the recovery of his wife, Unoma Akpabio, following a medical emergency.
“My wife was in a coma for six months in a hospital in Germany. She was 98 percent dead. I used the picture of PIO to make a sign of the cross on her, instead of putting off the life-support machine she was on. She had an operation that went wrong. I cried to Mother Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ and called on PIO to intercede,” he said.
According to the Senate President, his wife eventually regained consciousness after the incident.
“Miraculously, she woke up. That hospital, up to today, is yet to understand what happened. As someone who has experienced the power of where I am standing, I understand it more than anyone else,” Akpabio said.
He added that the visit marked his 10th trip to the prayer ground and said he and his family had continued to honour St. Pio following the experience.
“This is my 10th time here. When my wife was finally discharged from the hospital, she waited for three months before she could remember my name and those of the children. We are here today to thank God and PIO for always interceding for us,” he said.
Akpabio further disclosed that his family honoured St. Pio by giving their son the baptismal name Pio and establishing a football academy in his memory.
“We honored PIO by giving our son the baptismal name; PIO. We also established a big academy, which we called PIO Football Academy, where we train and offer scholarships to children of the poor from age 9 up to university level, all in memory of PIO. May his soul rest in perfect peace,” he said.
Source: Vanguard