It was a case of what politics tore apart, funeral brought together last Friday as political gladiators from different sides of the divide who, for a very long time, refused to see eyeball to eyeball, heartily shook hands at the Catholic Church in Igiode, Etsako East Local Council of Edo State, venue of the funeral mass of Lady Monica Alimikhena, the wife of Senator Francis Alimikhena.
Present at the ceremony were the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki; Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, who recently reconciled with the governor after a rift; their erstwhile godfather; Senator Adams Oshiomhole; and former deputy governor of the state, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe.
While the trio of Obaseki, Shaibu and Alimikhena, who is currently waging a legal battle for the senatorial seat against Oshiomhole, all belonged to the All Progressives Congress (APC) before defecting to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Oghiadomhe is a foundation member of the PDP while Oshiomhole was a former national chairman of the APC.
Speaking with journalists after the funeral mass, the governor described the late Mrs. Alimikhena, who passed away at 69 on August 30, as a very quiet, committed and prayerful woman, who was very devoted to the development of her community and the state.
He said: “I had the privilege of interacting with her in her lifetime. She was a very lovely woman. During my campaign in 2016 and also as a governor, I visited her house in Abuja and will not forget the good and lovely meal she used to prepare for me.
“She was a very quiet, committed and prayerful lady who always saw progress and always prayed for her husband, the state and all those who interacted with her in her lifetime. We will miss her but we thank God for her life and what she represented and pray for God to rest her soul in peace.”
The governor added: “It’s a difficult time for our senator, Francis Alimikhena. I have been with him and knew when the challenges of her health started and we need to pray for him and pray the Lord strengthens him for he is in a difficult time especially now.”
In his sermon, the Bishop of Auchi Diocese of the Catholic Church of Nigeria, Rev. Gabriel Dunia, urged mothers to emulate the life of the late Mrs. Alimikhena, who he said was fervent in prayers, guiding her family till her last days.
“Our mummy prayed for all those who came across her in life and as a mother, that should be your duty. Mothers should pray for the family to enable the society to raise good leaders who will lead and govern our people, the state and nation. I encourage all of us to participate in the governance of the state and serve the people truthfully irrespective of their personal interests.
“Our mummy led her family faithfully through difficult times and life’s challenges and we all have many lessons to learn from her life,” Bishop Dunia said.
Former governor of Edo State, Prof. Oserhemien Osunbor and the Chairman of Edo State branch of the PDP, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, were among other dignitaries at the event.
