Gov. Oborevwori made the call in Abuja, at the weekend, after receiving the Christian Icon Award from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) during the association’s 50th anniversary celebration at the National Christian Centre.

The award was presented by CAN President, Dr Daniel Okoh, in recognition of the governor’s public service, ethical leadership and commitment to Christian values.

Speaking after the presentation, Gov. Oborevwori expressed gratitude to God for the honour, describing it as a reminder of the responsibility to serve humanity with greater dedication.

“We may be involved in politics, but we must be able to distinguish between serving God and playing politics. These are two different responsibilities, and we must never allow politics to undermine our commitment to God,” he said.

The governor explained that his commitment to serving in the church predated his emergence as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly. He said he had continued with his ushering duties despite advice at the time that his political position might make the practice inappropriate.

According to him, his conviction that service to God and humanity should remain a sustained responsibility has continued to guide his public life.

Gov. Oborevwori described the recognition by CAN as particularly meaningful because, in his view, the association’s awards reflect not only public service but also character, integrity and the impact of a recipient’s contributions to society.

“When an organisation such as CAN gives you an award, it means a lot because the recognition is based not merely on public service but also on integrity, character and the impact you have made,” he said.

The governor also commended efforts to bring the five blocs within the Christian community together, expressing the belief that greater unity among them would strengthen their contribution to national development.

He said a united Christian community, speaking with one voice on issues of common concern, could contribute to a more cohesive Nigeria.

Gov. Oborevwori added that service to God should be undertaken with sincerity, dedication and a sense of responsibility, rather than for personal gratification or public recognition.

CAN’s 50th anniversary celebration brought together religious leaders, political office holders and other prominent Nigerians to mark the association’s five decades of service.

Those who accompanied the governor included immediate past Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor; and members of the National Assembly, Hon. Victor Nwokolo, Hon. Nicholas Mutu and Hon. Jonathan Ukodhiko.

Others were the Chief of Staff, Government House, Hon. Johnson Erijo, and the Senior Political Adviser to the Governor, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, alongside other government functionaries and political leaders.

Vice President Shettima stated this at the weekend, in Abuja, during the unveiling of the campaign headquarters of Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A), a northern political coalition supporting the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.

The Vice President stressed that unity within the APC would be crucial to securing victory in the forthcoming general elections.

Vice President Shettima cautioned party stakeholders against concentrating solely on the presidential election while neglecting governorship and National Assembly contests.

According to him, undermining APC governors or other candidates could weaken the party’s chances of achieving a comprehensive victory.

“There is no point in championing the cause of the presidential election and then undermining the governor in the gubernatorial election. Honestly, it will not go down well with the system,” he warned.

He urged party leaders and supporters to rally behind President Tinubu, APC governors and National Assembly members to strengthen the party ahead of the elections.

Speaking on the political situation in the North, Vice President Shettima declared that the region had already demonstrated its support for President Tinubu’s second-term ambition.

“By now, I believe the North has spoken. We have spoken with a resounding voice and unmistakable conviction. From Adamawa to Zamfara, from Borno to Niger, we have spoken,” he stated.

The Vice President also challenged APC members to confront former Vice President Atiku Abubakar politically but respectfully.

“Go and perform. Go and defeat Baba Atiku. Defeat him respectfully,” he said.

Vice President Shettima maintained that the APC possessed the political structure and grassroots strength required to compete effectively across Nigeria’s polling units.

He disclosed that the party had 361,045 officials across ward and local government structures, compared with the country’s 176,845 polling units.

According to him, the figures demonstrate the party’s organisational capacity to mobilise voters nationwide.

The Vice President further charged political appointees to demonstrate their electoral relevance in their respective wards and local government areas, stressing that political success begins at the grassroots.

“Politics is still local,” he declared.

On the APC’s strength in northern Nigeria, Vice President Shettima claimed that 18 of the region’s 19 states were under the party’s political influence.

He also highlighted defections from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano State as evidence of the APC’s growing political strength.

Addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges, Vice President Shettima acknowledged the hardship facing many households but defended the economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration.

According to him, the administration’s reforms have helped stabilise the economy and improve the country’s financial position.

He claimed that Nigeria’s foreign reserves had risen to approximately $58.9 billion, describing the development as evidence of economic recovery.

Vice President Shettima assured northern Nigerians that the region would benefit from President Tinubu’s second term, insisting that the President remained committed to its development.

“For the North, we have absolutely nothing to fear in a Tinubu second term. He has the North at heart,” he said.