By Chukwuma Umeorah
The Nigeria National Christian Coalition (NNCC) has called on churches and Christians to play active roles in politics and build strong political base to protect their interests.
Convener of NNCC, Apostle Titi Oluwadare, at a press conference in Lagos, lamented how Christians had been sidelined in the politics of the country, saying it was high time churches got actively involved in the formulation of governments and its policies that would favour its members.
She said a vacuum had been created in the political landscape as a result of non-participation of Christians due to the belief that politics is a ‘dirty game’ saying it was time to correct the impression. Oluwadare, who noted that spirituality is not about isolating oneself and absconding from civic responsibility, called on Christians across the country to unite and build a formidable political base even at grassroots levels that would form a platform to push for their interests.
“The body of Christ because of not having a base is therefore lacking in ability or capacity to negotiate or place a demand that can achieve or help achieve their objectives. Hence the Church has little relevance at the centre of affairs in Nigeria and consequently the Church and Christians end up being used a pawn in the political chess game.”
The cleric announced that the coalition would host Christians and political leaders from all regions in a summit in Lagos on Friday themed: “The Voice of the church in the nation.”
Oluwadare said the coalition is raising a new breed of Christian leaders with passion for righteousness in politics.
“The church in Nigeria has started building a credible and sustainable political base to groom and mentor individuals that would create impactful changes in the political landscape of the country. As followers of Christ, and using the scriptures as our base, it is time to come out of oppression, multiply, be fruitful and have dominion,” she said. Regional Coordinator of NNCC, South-West Region, Bishop Taiwo Ajose, in his address said that the righteousness of God and the church needed to be introduced into the political sphere in order to address the social and moral ills in the country.
“As Christians, we need to go the show them the light of God.”
The coalition reiterated its commitment to uniting Christians across the North and South to achieve a common goal as it noted that it had already set up structures, networks and empowerment exercises at grassroots levels across Nigeria to ensure that no one is left behind. It reassured its resilience to ensuring that ‘voice of the Church’ is heard.