Senate President Godswill Akpabio has visited the Prayer Ground of St. Padre Pio in St. Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, where he prayed for peace during Nigeria’s 2027 general elections and an end to banditry and terrorism in the country.
Akpabio, who visited the religious site with other Nigerians, said their purpose was to seek God’s blessings for themselves, their families and Nigeria, which he said is currently facing security challenges caused by banditry and terrorism.
Speaking to St. Padre Pio TV/Radio in Italy, the Senate President said the group was grateful for the opportunity to visit the holy site and present their prayers.
“We came to offer prayers and get blessings from God for ourselves, our families and our dear country that is currently being ravaged by banditry and terrorism,” Akpabio said.
He described the prayer ground as a holy place and said he was impressed by how well it had been maintained.
According to him, followers of St. Padre Pio believe in his intercession and the role he plays in answering their prayers.
Akpabio also recounted a personal experience involving his wife, Unoma Akpabio, which he said strengthened his faith in St. Padre Pio.
He said his wife spent six months in a coma at a hospital in Germany after complications from an operation and was at one point considered to be close to death.
Akpabio said he prayed to the Virgin Mary and sought the intercession of St. Padre Pio, using a picture of the saint while praying for his wife.
According to him, his wife eventually regained consciousness despite the severity of her condition.
“She miraculously woke up. That hospital, up to today, is yet to understand what happened,” he said.
Akpabio said the latest visit was his 10th to the site and described it as an opportunity to thank God and St. Padre Pio for what he said had been their continued intercession for his family.
He added that his family honoured the saint by giving their son the baptismal name Pio.
The Senate President also said his family established the PIO Football Academy, which provides football training and scholarships to children from disadvantaged backgrounds, from age nine through university level, in memory of St. Padre Pio.
Akpabio expressed hope that his prayers would contribute to peace, security and stability in Nigeria, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
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