James Akpan Udoedeghe, who was appointed the minister by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua on July 26, 2007, had won election as Senator for Uyo Senatorial District during a return of democracy under General Sani Abacha in 1997, but the election was truncated by a coup.
He won election as a Senator under Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and represented Akwa Ibom North East from 1999 to 2003 in the Nigerian Senate, where he served as a member in such committees as Industry, Labour, Finance & Appropriation, Internal Affairs, Information, Privatization (chairman) and Government Affairs.
The politician-turned pastor performed his first divine assignment as a clergyman on Sunday, April 28 in The Delivered Testimony Assembly, Afaha Offot in Uyo local government area of Akwa Ibom State.
Udoedeghe, who elegantly appeared in his full regalia complete with white collar, later served communion to members in his private chapel, venue of the inaugural Sunday service located in his expansive Afaha Offot country-home.
Born on November 9, 1963 in Afaha Offot, he is a one-time chairman of Uyo local government area.
Udoedeghe, who said he had always acknowledged the fact that he had a pastoral calling, and that he was merely submitting to the divine pre-destination, later preached on the theme: ‘Realizing the Purpose of God in our lives’.
Different speakers spoke briefly about Udoedeghe, his life, and journey to the priesthood, included the State APC Secretary, Mr. Austin Ekanem; Mrs. Catherine Udi and the Eteidung of Afaha Offot village, Chief David Etuk.
Other speakers included: Mrs Stella Effiom, a one-time Uyo local government chairman; Barr. Ekemini Cletus Udoh (the Obot Akara Chapter Legal Adviser) and his wife, Justina.
The turn-out at the service was impressive with members of Udoedehe’s family, friends, well-wishers and people from across the Church community, in attendance.
Udoedeghe was vice chairman of the Campaign Organisation for re-election of Obong Victor Attah as Governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2003.
He was the Director-General of Godswill Akpabio Campaign Organisation for Akwa Ibom governorship in 2007.
In 2011, he emerged as a governorship candidate of the now defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in Akwa Ibom State.
Though he contested for All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom, Udoedeghe lost to Umana Okon Umana in the 2015 governorship primaries.
