By Emma Njoku
In this interview, strongman of Rivers politics and former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rivers State chapter, Felix Amaechi Obuah, expressed huge doubt about Peter Obi’s chance in next year’s presidential poll, despite his growing popularity across the country and in the Diaspora, with the ‘Obidient’ movement spreading like a hurricane.
The grassroots politician, who is popular across the oil rich state as Go Round, also spoke on his new life as an evangelist, his new brand of politics and the crisis in PDP, among others.
You’ve been too quiet since you vacated office as PDP chairman, Rivers State chapter. Where have you been and what have you been doing all these while?
I’m currently in the Seminary and about to round off my training as an Evangelist. Please don’t get me wrong, I’m not training to become a pastor. I’m now a born again Christian and a brand new creature.
I’ve realised that life in Christ is sweeter than life in the world. I want to serve God and humanity for the rest of my life more than ever before.
Are you saying you’ve quit active politics, or how do you intend to combine politics and evangelism?
I’m not quitting politics because there’s politics everywhere. There’s politics even in the church. But I want to play politics in a different way from most Nigerian politicians. I’ll remain in politics but this time, it’ll be politics in Christ Jesus.
I’ll not be like some pastors who have abandoned their roles as priests to dabble into party politics. Many of them would claim that God spoke to them when God did not speak to them. We have seen situations where some of them front for certain political parties and politicians, predicting victories for whoever greases their palms only to recant whenever such clients stop giving them gratifications.
The other day, a certain pastor claimed that God gave him a message for Governor Nyesom Wike over the crisis in PDP. He said God told him to advise Wike not to leave PDP. God didn’t speak to him because God can never support injustice. God does not support deceit and lies. He is a God of justice, truth and fairness. That is why He said that those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.
As a priest, you should not deceive or mislead the people by claiming that God spoke to you when He did not. A genuine man of God is expected to guide his followers/congregation on the path of truth. The Bible says thou shall not call the name of your God in vain. The pastor who claimed that God asked him to advise Wike spoke from carnal knowledge and not through the inspiration of the holy spirit.
What are your thoughts on the 2023 presidential election, especially with the rising popularity of the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi?
I think the presidential race will be a straight fight between the PDP and APC candidates, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, respectively.
Nobody is denying the fact that the ‘Obidient’ movement is spreading like wildfire, but what is the position of the Igbo on the election? Election is decided by the number of votes cast for the respective contestants. Will the Igbo vote?
We hear there’s a caveat that there will be no voting in the South East because some elements have decided that there would be a total lock down of the entire South East on the day of election. If the Igbo do not vote, how would Obi garner the votes to win the presidential election?
Look at the way and manner Senator Ifeanyi Ubah was attacked and almost killed recently in Igbo land. How could the people be attacking their prominent sons when they want to rule Nigeria? How do you want other regions in the country to trust them with power? It is the same Igbo who are sabotaging the ‘Obidient’ movement.
As chairman of PDP in Rivers, the party won virtually all the elections under your watch. Given the current political climate, do you see the PDP retaining power in Rivers in 2023?
I can assure you that nothing will change in the political landscape of River State after the 2023 elections because PDP will win all the seats in the state, including the National Assembly elections.
Do you still nurse the ambition of governing Rivers State in the future after missing the ticket in the last PDP gubernatorial primary?
God gives power to whom He wishes to give. If it pleases God that I should become the governor someday, why not.