Christians must take charge in 2019 elections —Church leaders

AS activities for 2019 elections intensify across the country, church leaders have admonished Christians against standing aloof, under the impression that politics is a dirty game, but should rather, become active participants in political affairs.

Speaking in separate messages on Saturday, at the one-day conference of the Christian Leadership Mobilisation Organisation International (CLMOI), which had as its theme: Christians in Governance, Agents of Real Transformation, at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) regional headquarters, Covenant Sanctuary, Oluyole, Ibadan, the clerics restated the need for Christians to ensure that they registered as voters and present themselves as candidates, as the need be.

Speaking at the event, which was organised in collaboration with the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Oyo State, and all churches in Oyo State, Assistant General Overseer of the RCCG, Pastor E.A. Odeyemi, highlighted the effects of Christians’ lackadaisical attitude to political affairs, stating that “As Christians, we must ensure that positive change becomes a reality. To ensure active participation that would yield result, we must be united, sacrificial, and those who present themselves as candidates, especially young people, must be prepared to be mentored. We only win when we all win. Our time has come,” he stated.

President, PFN, Oyo State, Bishop T.V. Adelakun, who described CLMOI as an uncommon ministry, urged pastors to dedicate prayers for the country, noting that “If politics is a dirty game, let the cleanup begin with Christians. I see ‘Josephs’ emerging in governance. 2019 is a transitional season for Nigeria. It is erroneous to think Christians don’t vote. We vote and our votes must count.”

While chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Oyo State chapter, Pastor B.O. Akanmu, urged Christians to take charge of political affairs, and prayed for understanding for Christians, Pastor in Charge of RCCG Region 21, Ibadan, Pastor C.A.F. Obasa, who noted that Christians were the salt and light of the world, said: “Wherever Christians are, they must add value. It’s time for Christians to possess their possessions. People must know that Christians exist. Politics is a game of numbers and we have the numbers.”

President of CLMOI, Pastor Niyi Ojedokun, in his address, spoke on the past seven years of the organisation, and stressed that “CLMOI is a political platform that nurtures, grooms, mobilises Godly, accountable, transformative leadership into elected and selected offices, irrespective of ethnicity, gender and social status.”

The event  featured special prayer sessions for the country and members of CLMOI, as well as the presence of Reverend Israel Olaseinde; Pastor Segun Olatunji; Pastor Toks Oluwatoki, among others.