By Dayo Emmanuel
Christians in Nigeria have been asked to participate in politics in order to ensure good governance in the country.
Head of Calvary Kingdom Church, Lagos, Archbishop Joseph Ojo gave the charge to Christians at the annual thanksgiving of Daily Independent Christian fellowship in Lagos recently.
Ojo who represented the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Wale Oke at the event themed ‘Lift up your head’, said Nigeria should look beyond COVID-19, economic woes and other challenges to forge ahead.
He also encouraged the youths and the Christian community to prepare for the 2023 election.
“In PFN now we already have an arm that educates Christians on getting their voter’s card ready for the election.
“You cannot be a voter without a voter’s card. We encourage all Christians to register, get their permanent voter’s card, cast their votes and God will do the rest.
“There is hope, a change is coming, I believe it with the whole of my heart, God is at work in our midst.
“We should lift up our head and see beyond insecurity, banditry, Boko Haram, I can see because some of us have the eyes of faith. There are forces working in favour of this country more than the forces working against her,” he said.
Ojo also challenged Nigerian leaders to shun selfishness, greed and embrace God.
“Nigerian leaders should not be selfish. They should be patriotic. Some of them want to amass wealth for their family, no matter how well they have succeeded in gathering wealth. It will definitely dwindle. So they should see beyond this place and work towards leaving a legacy.
“As I said, God is raising us, leaders that are patriotic, when our leaders are patriotic, changes will come,” he said.
On the 2023 general election, Ojo said God has a plan for Nigeria because He rules in the affairs of man.
“The year 2023 is in the hand of God who rules in the affairs of men. He giveth power to whoever He wills and that is what we will see because God is in charge of this country.
“Any leader that looks beyond his tenure is leaving a legacy and I believe God will raise a crop of leaders among the young people that have not even been in politics before. I believe God will use them to rewrite the story of this country,” he assured.
He continued that the old politicians are fond of recycling themselves and he enjoined the electorate to look beyond the current old politicians.
“Political leaders want to be recycling themselves, I pray that the populace, the voters will look beyond this crop of old politicians, patriotism is the word.
“They are thinking of their pocket alone, what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?”
Praying for the Daily Independent newspaper, the cleric expressed hope that the newspaper will yet flourish.
“Independent newspaper will yet be greater and greater in the name of Jesus. The Lord will open your eyes to see that greater things are ahead.
“Lift up the gates means to lift up your eyes, God will hasten His word concerning families of those working in Daily Independent, the company itself and Nigeria. I see a vibrant economy coming, I see a great country coming out as well,” he said.
