President, Pentecostal Sanctuary Bible Ministries, Odo Egbo, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria, Prophet Sunday Dare Iyunade, speaks with BAYO ALADE on issues affecting the nation and recommendations for making things better.
The security situation in Nigeria seems to be getting worse going by recent happenings. Has God abandoned Nigeria?
No. God has not abandoned Nigeria. In my view, the security system is definitely faulty, but Psalm 46 states: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble…” The only thing we need to do now is to go back to God and pray fervently. I always believe things will get better.
Economically too, the naira had become fixed against the dollar at N360. Do you see better days ahead for Nigeria’s economy?
As I have said, I believe things will get better. But then everything depends on this government. The government decided to allow what the naira is facing for selfish interests. For example if they spent N1 million, they will say they spent N30 million and the value of the money does not change. They just want to ensure that poverty remains in the land. The policy they are running is against the interest of the downtrodden. What I am saying is an issue that concerns the present government. The system of trying to tell us one dollar is now N360 is not the best; one dollar should be equal to one naira. We are praying that the government should come to their senses and continue to improve on the economy of the nation.
Next month, there will be an election in Ekiti State and another one in Osun State in September. Has God shown you how the elections will go, because as we know, your predictions often come true?
You know how desperate some people could be. We should not trust our politicians too much. All they know is propaganda. There is no transparency and the promise for change is not delivered. This is a country where there is no security, where there is hunger, killings all over. The present situation of the country cannot guarantee proper democracy or free and fair election. Therefore it is not safe to say this is what will happen. Real democracy is not on ground, you can’t expect anything good under such circumstance. Results arising from elections in those situations cannot be guaranteed.
How about next year’s election; would President Muhammadu Buhari return as president?
Most incumbents in power can do and undo to remain in office, but if he has the fear of God, he can conduct a free and fair election and allow the will of the people to prevail. In the real sense of the word it is God who chooses and removes leaders. But these ones in government now are so desperate to hold on to power. I won’t say more.
Are you saying they could rig the election?
In 2014, my prediction was that a dictator would emerge in Nigeria. I have already told Nigerians to think well before voting. In a nutshell, once that dictator comes in, it will be so difficult to remove him. I even predicted that Nigeria will suffer under All Progressives Congress (APC) and the prophecy still stands.
Tell us which of your past predictions, at least two or three, that came to pass.
Let me start from Ogun State. I predicted that a new party would rule the state in 2011 and I prophesied that in early 1999, someone will come out of prison and later rule Nigeria, Some people said that it could only happen in the Bible, not in Nigeria. I even prophesied that it was not yet time for the desired change in Nigeria and that the South-West will pay a heavy price soon.
Can you expatiate on this?
Don’t go far; look at the hierarchy of the people at the top. A majority of them are from one ethnic group. That’s why most of the killings cannot be investigated. We’ve lost so many lives over the loss of cows, no matter their number. In other countries, if they lose just one life, they would drop their flags to honour that person; but our leaders in Nigeria would not even speak out in time, until after the havoc has been wreaked and that is when they would mobilise security men to the place. At a time while the killings were ongoing, our so-called leaders went somewhere to have a wedding. Can you just imagine that! Our leaders have lost touch with ordinary Nigerians.
What’s your view on the killings in the country?
Christians must sit tight and pray hard because a majority of the killings – 80 per cent of the killings – affect Christians. The attacks focused more on Christian villages and Christian gatherings. Due to imbalance in federal appointments, major agencies in the country are headed by people of a particular faith and ethnic group. Now see what they are doing.
Would Obasanjo’s coalition work?
It cannot stand. No coalition can work now. They are making a mistake; they should go back to where they are coming from. They should learn from other nations. Go to America, they have two strong parties. Also, in the United Kingdom, they have various parties, but there are two strong parties. If one fails, the other one will correct its mistake. The future of the coalition is bleak.
and then