Democracy: Cleric advises politicians on unity, tolerance

AN evangelist, Mr Olayiwola Abegunde, on Thursday advised politicians to promote tolerance and peaceful co-existence, to ensure peace, progress and political stability in the country.

Abegunde gave the advice during a special prayer in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara.

He said that tolerance and peaceful co-existence would also ensure smooth transition in 2019.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the prayer tagged: ‘Omu-Aran For Christ’, was organised by the UK/Northern Ireland chapter of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC).

The prayer, third in the series, was held at the palace of the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Ibitoye and was to seek divine intervention in the socio-economic development of the community.

Abegunde, who is the Co-ordinator of Omu-Aran For Christ initiative also doubled as the Shepherd in-charge of CCC in Ota, Ogun State.

He said that politicians must stop promoting personal ambitions above national interest,

The cleric added that the gains recorded during the last political transition could only be sustained when the players do away with bitterness, backbiting and political bigotry.

Abegunde said the Nigeria presently require the leaders and the led to unite in prayers for permanent solutions to the country’s socio-economic and security challenges.

He lauded the present administration’s anti-corruption initiative, saying the achievement recorded so far was a pointer that the nation was gradually returning to the path of sanity and advancement.

“It is a pity that after 100 years of amalgamation and over 50 years of independence, the nation is still struggling to achieve its potentialities as African giant,” he said.

Olusegun Olarinde, Head of Diocese of CCC UK/Northern Ireland, said the prayer was part of the Church’s corporate social responsibility towards the wellbeing of the community.

He said the special prayer was also aimed at sustaining the cordial relationship that existed between indigenes and non-indigenes of the community.

The Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Ibitoye thanked the church for the gesture and promised the support of community leaders toward the sustenance of the prayer initiative.

He described the prayer as “a timely intervention”, noting that the recent opening of one of the closed commercial banks in the community was a good pointer that the prayers were answered.

NAN reports that special prayers were offered for the community, state and the nation.