2019: We should do away with recycled politicians —Archbishop Okubadejo

In his sixties, soft-spoken, unassuming and with a signature hairstyle that is evident of his years of wisdom, Archbishop of Ibadan Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ibadan North, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Dr ’Segun Okubadejo, does not mince words when it comes to sharing his views on putting Nigeria on the clear path of true development. He shares his thoughts on this and other issues, in an interaction with Rita Okonoboh.

 

In May 2017, at the last synod, you asked Nigerians to be optimistic in the face of challenges. It’s been one year after that, and elections are scheduled to hold next year. Should Nigerians still hold on to that optimism in the face of current realities?

Well, I would say yes, because it is an obvious thing and whether we like it or not, we must hold the elections next year. We should be optimistic about that. The question now is: ‘Would there be a better change?’ We know we all rushed the last time, because some people promised us a lot of changes, which never materialised. So, now that we’re looking at another general election, particularly, the presidential election, for me, we should do away with all these recycled politicians. I call them recycled politicians because they keep on repeating themselves over and over, and they’re not offering anything. We should inject new blood into the political system and the Nigerian project. A lot of young people are coming up and I hope we have people to sponsor them. That’s another problem in Nigeria, as their sponsors may be one of these old people, and once they get there, they may want to start dictating. However, I want to believe something new will happen. At the synod, I will sensitise our people not to vote for parties, but for individuals with credibility. I’ll tell people not to rush to vote for people who come to them with rice, beans and the like, because that is the last they’ll get till the next four years. Let us try these young people and see whether we will have real change.

 

So, that means you don’t support President Muhammadu Buhari’s intention to seek re-election?

No. Capital No.

 

Not even if he claims to have done better in three years than in the Peoples Democratic Party’s 16-year rule?

That’s his opinion and he has a right to his opinion. But for me, my family and extended family, it’s capital No.

 

This year, you were re-elected for another five-year term as archbishop. What has the experience been like?

Busy. So busy that sometimes, I don’t have time for domestic affairs – the diocese itself, that’s Ibadan North. As the archbishop, 16 other dioceses make up the province and they must be attended to. There have also been challenges. However, through God’s grace, we have been pulling through. Interestingly, at the end of the second five-year tenure, I’ll be 70 and due for retirement.

 

There have been reports from Anglican churches in the South-West of herdsmen’s attacks. Have you had any such reports from your diocese?

Not that I know of.

 

What would be your advice to these churches on improving security?

Improving security should not just be on farmlands, but during services as well. We need to make sure we have enough security when we hold our services, at least to give these miscreants the hint that we are aware that they are around and make them stay away. For us, the problem in the dioceses under the province is encroachment on the land, but we’re addressing that.

 

Are you satisfied with how the Federal Government has handled the herdsmen issue?

Not really. I still want to believe it’s a rumour, because the way things are now, it seems there is complicity, as the man who has the power to do something is not doing what he should do and he is the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces. It is high time the group was declared terrorists and the president has refused to do that. There were reports that even the Inspector General of Police has been compromised. There was the report that when the president got to one of the states in the North, the IGP was not on ground; the Senate summoned the IGP, a summons he refused to honour, and the president has done nothing. So, it’s like they’re just deceiving the nation. We don’t need to cover our mouths to say there seems to be an agenda to Islamise Nigeria and we are speaking out on that. How would you ask people to offer land for cattle rearing? Are herders the only business people in Nigeria? We have people involved in animal husbandry and no one has asked to give them land. So, we are not satisfied and the president needs to come out boldly to declare murderous herdsmen as terrorists and crush them like Boko Haram.

 

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) organised a march nationwide, a few weeks ago, to protest against killings and the continued abduction of Leah Sharibu. However, it would seem nothing has changed. What other avenues do you think CAN can explore to address these issues?

It has to be a continuous thing – the protest. We need to do it over and over again and that will drive home our point.

 

For the synod, why did you choose the theme: We Are More Than Conquerors?

Things are topsy-turvy and although it’s a strange kind of theme, since we are being persecuted, I’m trying to enlighten, not only the congregants at the synod, but Christians worldwide, to know what Paul meant when he said: ‘we are more than conquerors.’ We have conquered in Christ. This suffering won’t last and we won’t die in this suffering because God has overcome the world and He is the One that is mighty in battle. We will keep on doing the right thing, so we can be conquerors. We have a hope for a better life after this life, because for whatever we suffer here, there is a reward for it afterwards.

 

You have encouraged youth participation in politics. Do you see the same youthful zeal in the ministry?

They are, but we are very conscious. In the ministry, we have people with good degrees who say they have been called. In fact, in recent times, there has been an upward surge in the number of people, who want to join the ministry. At the last selection conference, we had more than 100 candidates who indicated interest in joining the ministry and, in some cases, we discovered it was because of a lack of available jobs and they believed they would find job security in the ministry. So, of the more than 100, we only picked 7. A lot of the candidates are graduates, some with Masters Degrees, but when you dig deeper into their spirituality, not religiosity, you find out that they do not fit the bill. However, we have many of them on the right path. That’s why I was disappointed that President Buhari made the statement that Nigerian youths are lazy, although, he has tried to clarify with specifics. We still have youths, who believe in the Nigerian project, and that is why I’m advocating that we give them a chance. And if they fail us, then we know we are back to square one.

 

You have advised the electorate not to fall for the allure of compromising incentives. What about the politicians?

For this synod, we have some of our members, who are interested in various positions. Some of them have governorship ambitions, as well. We have invited all the candidates who are Christians to come and speak to the people and tell them why they think they will best fit the various positions.

 

If you could have a one-on-one with President Muhammadu Buhari today, what would you tell him?

If I had a one-on-one with the president, I would ask him: ‘Mr President, are you the chairman of the herdsmen in Nigeria?’ These herdsmen are Fulanis and you are a Fulani and from all indications, it’s like you’re behind them. Tell me, sir, are you their backbone? If not, how on earth can you send to the Senate to make laws that would favour a particular clan, within the multi-national setting we have in Nigeria. He has a lot of explanations to give.

 

The economy has faced challenges over the past years. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has also claimed that it has recovered loot running into billions of naira. Yet, the economy hasn’t improved much. What recommendations would you make on the economy?

I have something on the economy in my charge which will be delivered at the synod on Monday. We are not a serious people. I was happy when Mrs Kemi Adeosun was appointed Minister of Finance. That lady is transparently honest and knows her onions about finance. She proposed a lot of things that can help this economy, but it seems nobody is taking it up. It is unfortunate that nothing is being done about the proposals. Whether we like it or not, we have this cabal as they are referred to, who are not just ready to allow things move in this country. On the loot recovered by the EFCC, are we even sure they have recovered anything? Into which account has recovered loot been paid into? This government has a lot of explanations to do.

 

One major thing this administration rode on the back of into power, was the promise to fight corruption. Have they performed in this regard?

It’s one-sided. If they point an accusing finger at a person, once the person runs under the cover of the All Progressives Congress (APC), that person is safe. It’s witch-hunting. They’re not really serious about fighting corruption. What has changed since they started this fight against corruption? Restructuring is very necessary, as well. Take national appointments for instance, where one stock of the nation has taken a majority of the positions. There must be a reorientation on everything about Nigeria.

 

Not too long ago, arms and ammunition were intercepted and were said to have originated from Turkey. Turkey also has a history of alliances with terrorists. Should the Christian community be bothered about Nigeria’s recent romance with Turkey?

Not just for Christians, but for Nigerians in general. I want to believe the secrets are coming out and once we know that, we can do the right thing. Once the signs are clear, we will rise again and address it.

 

The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has been on strike and ordinary Nigerians are suffering for it. What is your advice on tackling the situation?

Apathy has been the answer to everything since the inception of the present administration. They’re not just bothered and, in some cases, it’s as if they don’t even know what is going on. And the president wants to seek re-election? Nigerians must wake up and make sure that does not happen. It’s not just about getting the PVCs, but doing the right thing with the PVC. We will continue to encourage our people to be more active in politics. We will continue to sensitise our people.