Simeon Mpamugoh
Prophet Anene Nwachukwu is the servicing Overseer, Rhema Deliverance Mission International, LASU-Igando Road, Iba, Lagos.
He speaks on the country’s general election.
How has the church fared in changing the narratives about Christians participating in elections?
For me, I always inculcate in my members the fact that they have a civic responsibility to vote, and be voted for. Now we are in an election period, I have told them that they must vote those who would help to better their lives, and that of their children. I also told them that they must vote with the fear of God. I made them to know that as children of God, they must live by example, and always showcase everything about God in whatever they do. Also, they must ensure they vote for credible leaders who have the fear of God in them. And I’m sure similar sensitisation talks are going on in other churches and Christian associations in Nigeria. The year, 2019 is going to be great. I know that God is going to do something extraordinary in Nigeria: all the people who made things difficult for us would be removed this year. I believe the year would be better than others, and Nigeria will not remain the same again. By the special grace of God, we have prayed that God is going to give us credible leaders for the betterment of the society.
Some men of God believe that there is need for change. What kind of change would you envisage for the country?
We need change in our economy, and politically and in every aspect of governance. We need change because if you look at the Nigeria economy, it has fallen to the lowest level. Nigerians are suffering; there are killings here and there. We need someone who can be decisive in tackling the issue of herdsmen. The current government is not decisive in the sense that people who are agitating for Biafra; the government was very quick to label them terrorists, but people who go with AK47 rifle, terrorise people, kill and maim them, and commit other acts of arsons in the name of herdsmen have not been labelled terrorists. And that gives them impunity to perpetrate more harm. Why? It is because a Fulani man is the president. So, I believe we cannot continue like this. So, we pray God will give us a government that would be decisive in tackling this ugly menace.
What role should the church play towards ensuring credible and transparent elections?
The first thing is sensitisation, which we have done to our members. We told them to shun money politics. Those who share money in the polling booths are criminals because they are buying our future. So, we must go there with mindset to shun money politics. Don’t take from them, including the credible ones. We also encourage our members who are educated, and qualified to contest elective posts to go into the field, and contest. It is God that makes kings. So the church is against money politics. And we have told the body of Christ that any leader you know that doesn’t fear God must not be voted for. You must vote for credible people who you know can help in alleviating the sufferings of Nigerians. So, the roles of the church towards credible and transparent election is essentially to shun money politics. As a child of God, if you take money before you cast your vote, you are taking a bribe. And God does not condone bribery.
How can a child of God know a credible candidate since it is not written in anyone’s faces?
The first step is by looking at his manifestos, and past records of performance. Secondly, we know the criminals among us because we live with them. They are not spirits. There are people when you see their mien, you know they have come again. But we have people that are tested and trusted, and such people should be re-elected.
One of the things that cause voter apathy is because people believe their votes are not counting, and therefore they are discouraged. For example, if you know that when you vote, your votes would count, you would be glad to participate in electing those that would govern you. Some people are already boasting that on the day of election, they would use the police, and army to intimidate people. And no one would like to be intimidated. Instead, they would prefer to stay back because somebody is wielding AK47 rifle, and nothing is happening. What if you are shot in the polling booth, who would be there for you? That is one of the reasons, we have voter apathy. We’ve told our members; if you see a violent area, go back home.
I have heard people talk about defending of votes. What are you defending when you don’t have Ak47 rifle? The moment you hear gunshots, and teargas, everyone scampers for safety. So, what are you defending? We need government to be neutral in elections. Once you see security agents getting interested in one party, no matter what you do, you are not defending anything. At a stage, they would mark your line for you, where you cannot cross. If you cross it, they will maul you. Then, what is the essence of asking people to defend their votes.
But I have my fears. The elections may not be credible, and votes of the people will not count, especially the way things are going now. One of my major prophecies of 2019 at 31st night is that the present government would go after a lot of opposition members. That started from January 1, some opposition members were seen in police and EFCC custody. On January 2nd, they went after Dino Melaye, and the family house of senate president, Olusola Saraki was burgled. If you see what is going on now, there are a lot of arrests going on against the opposition members. Are we going to continue like that? And we are talking about credible elections. Nigerians should vote their conscience. They should vote with the fear of God. They should equally vote for credible leaders, and I pray that God will sweep out every evil person that rigs this election against the nation. Nigeria will survive; Nigeria will rise again.