Oshiomhole blames political, ethnic bias in dispute with Catholic Archdiocese over St. Philomena Hospital

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By Sunny A. David, Awka

A former Edo State Governor, Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, has accused the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City of politicizing a misunderstanding concerning the ownership of St. Philomena College of Nursing, suggesting that their reaction may be influenced by political and ethnic sentiments particularly ongoing support for former Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Oshiomhole’s remarks were in response to a recent press release by the Archdiocese titled “Setting the Record Straight: St. Philomena College of Nursing is Not Government Owned.”

The Church’s statement was issued to counter Oshiomhole’s comments made during a July 26 interview on Arise TV, where he referred to a nursing school visited by Peter Obi during his trip to Benin City.

In a press statement released by his Chief of Staff, Victor Oshioke, Oshiomhole insisted that he never mentioned St. Philomena by name during the interview.

He clarified that he had assumed Obi visited the State owned School of Nursing and Midwifery on Sapele Road an institution established and funded by the Edo State Government.

The former Governor expressed disappointment that the Archdiocese interpreted the error as a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation, instead of seeking clarification.

He described their reaction as “a sad commentary on the deepening culture of bias and partisanship, even within spiritual institutions.”

He further alleged that some Church leaders continue to display residual partisanship from the 2023 elections, during which some clergy reportedly encouraged support for Mr. Obi from the pulpit. Oshiomhole emphasized that Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze, who oversees the Archdiocese, hails from Ogbaru in Anambra State Obi’s home State.

Recounting past support for the Church, Oshiomhole highlighted his efforts as Governor to mediate during internal disputes within the Archdiocese involving alleged ethnic bias in clergy appointments.

He said his intervention helped restore unity within the Church, making it especially painful to now be the subject of public attacks from the same institution.

“As a practicing Catholic, I hold the Church in high regard and believe it should stand above politics,” he said. “It is unfortunate to see my good faith comments twisted to suit political narratives.”

Oshiomhole concluded by saying he would not engage in a war of words with the Church but would also not tolerate attempts to malign his name. “God sees the heart and knows the difference between an honest mistake and deliberate provocation,” he added, accusing some within the Church of “hiding behind the cassock to promote political agendas.”