Tunde Thomas
Nigerian politicians have been advised not to see politics as a do-or die affair but as an avenue to serve people. The Founder and General Overseer, Mt. Jieawowrrar All Saints Church of Christ, Odogbolu, Ogun State, Primate Samuel Bisi Ademosu gave the advice in an interview, where he also charged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure a marked improvement in power generation and distribution.
What is your reaction to the just concluded elections across the country?
To God be the glory, the election has come and gone, and Nigeria has remained as one nation. Months before and in the days leading to the election, there was tension across the country. Not only that, some Nigerians including religious leaders were saying a lot of things that were confusing people. Some were even saying that there will be monumental crisis here and there that will threaten the corporate existence of the country but while these were going on, God told me that the election will come and go, and that it will not lead to break up of Nigeria. This message of assurance from God to me I announced it to the whole world during our church’s annual programme tagged Jieaworrar spiritual festival which took place last December in Odogbolu, Ogun State. I told the congregation that God has given assurance that the election will not lead to the breakup of Nigeria, and that Nigerians should not panic. Now that the elections have been concluded, it is time for newly elected leaders to settle down to work. It is now time for them to start fulfilling their promises to the electorate. We thank God for answering our supplications for continued peace, and unity in this country.
What is your reaction to the killings and violence that took place in some parts of the country during the elections?
It is unfortunate. Politicians are advised not to see politics as a battle or do-or- die affair. Human lives are sacred. Politicians are advised to be more tolerant. In other climes politics is regarded as an avenue to renders services, and not to unleash violence. If you lose an election today, you can still win the next time. Losing an election is not the end of life. At 59, violence, thuggery and killings should not be part of our politics. Religious leaders, opinion leaders and other stakeholders should regularly enlighten our politicians and their supporters on the need to see politics as a game, and not war.
Now that President Muhammadu Buhari has been re-elected for a second term, what’s your advice to him, and other newly-elected public office holders?
Buhari should hit the ground running. He should quickly form his cabinet, and set to work immediately. He should take Nigeria to the next level as he promised during his campaign. Buhari should focus on those things that will make life abundantly easier for Nigerians. He should ensure that there is a marked improvement in power generation. When there is improved power supply, commerce will not only thrive but there will be job opportunities for the youths, and other unemployed people. He should also sustain the war against corruption.
He should also continue to recover stolen nation’s money from the looters. Then he must also pay attention to the nation’s security. From what God has revealed to me we need to pray seriously against the nation being engulfed in crises that may threaten the nation’s peace especially between July and December this year.
For other newly elected public office holders, my advice is that they should imbibe the orientation of service. They should be service-oriented. They should not see public office as an avenue or short cut to acquire ill-gotten wealth. In other climes their leaders use public office to serve people; this is what our leaders should emulate. Many of our leaders have travelled outside the country, and they have seen how leaders over there serve their people with love and passion, this is what I expect them to also do in Nigeria. I also implore Nigerians generally that we should all join hands with government at all levels to make the task of governance easier. Whatever is our obligation as citizens is, we must do with zeal.
On the issue of loot being recovered, opinions are divided on how it should be used, what’s your own position on it?
Recovered loot should be used to provide more infrastructure facilities which will benefit Nigerians, like construction of more roads, building of hospitals and schools among others. Loots being recovered should be closely monitored to avoid a situation where recovered loots will be re-looted again. Our political leaders should not see public office as an avenue or short cut to acquire ill-gotten wealth.
The issue of Christians taking part in politics has become controversial, what’s your take on it?
I don’t think there should be any controversy over that. Nothing stops Christians from being active in politics. What matters most is that such Christians taking part in politics must be Christ-like in their attitude, action and deeds. They must be good ambassadors of Jesus Christ. They must be good role models in the society. They must not be involved in anything that portrays Christians in bad light. Whatever they do in politics, they must do it to the glory of God.
Some people have suggested the idea of having a day being declared as a national day of fasting and prayers to serve as a boost to efforts being made by the nation’s leaders to re-position the country with the aim of taking Nigeria to the next level?
It is a good idea. It is a welcome development. Even in the United States of America, they have what they call national day of Thanksgiving. In the Bible we were urged to pray for those in authority so that they will be imbued with divine wisdom to steer the ship of governance in the right way. Such a devotional programme will be inter-denominational. It will involve religious leaders in the country, and the objective will be not only to pray for continued peace and unity in the country but also special prayers will be offered for the nation’s political leaders so that they will be blessed with divine wisdom to always do things in the right way.