STAKEHOLDERS in the Nigerian project from various backgrounds and callings have been contributing their own quota towards raising the bar in the general election that is just two weeks away. Their interventions have come in different shades and shapes in the buildup to the election which advanced democracies said was crucial because of the strategic place of Nigeria’s electoral process on the African continent.
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And when Christian leaders converged on Jogor Centre in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on January 26, 2019, they upped the ante by offering pragmatic steps on how to enthrone quality leadership, ensure peace and credible elections. It was at a dinner seminar organised by the Oyo State chapter of the Christ the Redeemer’s Friends International (CRFI), centre, an initiative instituted by the General Overseer worldwide of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye.
The occasion was well-attended by politicians, representatives of political parties, industry captains and clerics among other dignitaries with all the speakers emphasising the need for the country to get it right this time through a paradigm shift.
In his lecture entitled: Godliness and politic. Dr Fred Odutola noted the imperative of Christians showing more than a passing interest in politics, because “In the past, many people believed that politics is a dirty game and should be left for dirty people to play. The irony of this misgiving is that the dirty people now make policies that affect the clean people and so direct the affairs of the nation in which the clean ones are ruffled.”
He added: “An example of such was the issue of import license, during the time of Dr Onaolopa Soleye as the Finance Minister when Bible did not come through the Bible Society of Nigeria for one year as the import License was given to individuals who would pure businessmen and who could not understand why and how The Bible Society could distribute Bible not at a profit. So sad an era but where were those who could stand in the gap? In essence, since every man is a political animal, Christians with their Godliness cannot disengage themselves from politics.”
Citing various portions of the Bible to buttress his position, Dr Odutola said, from the biblical allusion, one would categorically say that Godliness can go parri-passu with politics but the duty of care is on the part of the Godly person so as to avoid the pitfalls since there are corrupters of the corruptible every inch of the journey.”
He also used part of his personal experience to corroborate his submission. “I was then the Chairman for Africa Area Board of the United Bible Societies and was mandated to ensure that Chief Olusegun Obasanjo attended the Prayer Breakfast at Addis-Ababa before the African Union (AU) meeting proper. I and two other leaders went to meet him at the Hilton in 2009 in the evening before the event and we jokingly mentioned that he did not give us a good successor. He snapped and said, I have even heard that I did not hand over to a Christian President, where are the Christians? When Jesus said thou are Petros and upon this rock, I will build my church, who was he referring to?” Peter. My own Peter does not know the difference between his purse and the State’ purse. When Moses could not reach the promised land, who did he hand over to? – Joshua… “My own Joshua was a Christian until he became a governor. Who were the brothers of Jesus? – James and John. ‘My own James is richer than the State.’ The former President was referring to governors who were bearing Christian names during his tenure as president. One of them was later jailed in England and the other who became a Senator has just been sentenced. So, let us at this juncture separate the Christian name from godliness. The dress does not make the monk.
According to Dr Odutola, many characters in the Bible show that Godliness can go parri passu with politics; He listed such characters to include Joseph, Esther, Daniel and Paul, just as he gave classical examples as William Wilberforce and the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, he said.
Wilberforce had “wanted to be a priest, however, his leaning towards politics was encouraged by his Parish Priest who told him that every calling, whether it be at the pulpit or at the house of parliament should be towards positive impact of one’s’ generation. Truly, the man, who was born in 1759 and lived for 74 years would never be forgotten as a British Politician who stood his ground, failing more than twice with votes in the Parliament before he finally got the votes to abolish slave trade. What his parish priest could not accomplish at the pulpit, he accomplished it in the House.”
In his conclusion, Dr Odutola said the electoral process starts with all eligible Nigerians obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), stressing that “No amount of prayer and speaking in tongues alone will entrench godliness in politics. Listen to God and if He is leading you to go, please do not hesitate.”
In his highly incisive and instructive contribution to the discourse, Consultant/Director, of African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, publishers of Tribune titles, Pastor Segun Olatunji, lamented the pervasive nature of ungodliness in Nigeria’s political system, noting that the country had no future if genuine Christians do not take over the affairs of the nation.
“Genuine Christians don’t have to be many to change the story of our nation for good. We are in need of missionary Christians in Nigeria’s politics and we can all achieve that through our genuine heart and commitment to saturate the entire nation with godliness,” he stressed.
Also speaking, Pastor-in-charge, RCCG Region 21, Pastor, C. A. F Obasa, acknowledged the coordinator and members of CRFI, Oyo State chapter, observing that the event was timely. “I thank God for the life of the visionary and everyone that has keyed into to this campaign. CRFI is not religious, but an independent evangelical fellowship targeted at preaching the gospel and impacting lives with truthfulness and godliness. I want to seize this opportunity to charge all sinners and unbelievers to repent and take to righteousness, as God will add all other things,” Obasa stated.
While appreciating the organisers, a House of Representatives’ candidate under the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Alhaji Kazeem Lawa Adekunle, noted politics was not a dirty game, but that some politicians made it dirty.
“The seminar is auspicious, as it addresses all what we need as an individual to achieve a successful life and country devoid of any act of ungodliness.”
In his remarks, the CRFI Region 21 Coordinator and chairman, Ibadan chapter, Professor Emmanuel Owolabi, expressed his delight on the success of the event. He said the overall aim of the seminar was to reach out to the influential, top government functionaries, high and might in the society with gospel message and win more souls.
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