By Perekeme Odon and
Shiloh O. Akinyemi
It was a convergence
of leading voices of Christians and their families, who came in their numbers
when The Voice of His Words Ministries of Nigeria hosted the Bible Speak
Conference 2022 in Lagos state, as Nigeria prepares for the general elections
in 2023. Participants were told to prepare to produce men and women of
integrity who would fulfill the promise of Nigeria's prosperity.
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Apostle Dr Bolaji O. Akinyemi
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The exclusive event
graced by senior religious leaders themed, 'Politics For Today's Church,’ which
included presentations from prominent Christian speakers, commentators,
contributors and participants took place on Monday, May 2, 2022, at the Great
Commission Bible Church, 16A Olayiwola Street, New Oko-Oba, Abule Egba Via
Fagba, Lagos State, and urged eligible Christians to register and collect their
Permanent Voters Card (PVC) to vote general election 2023.
The convener, Apostle
Bolaji O. Akinyemi, a leading Christian advocate and enthusiast of the renowned
Apostolic Round Table and President, PVC-Naija Initiatives, stated in his
address alerted attendees that Christians must join hand to produce outstanding
men and women of honour to direct Nigeria's affairs in 2023 and blamed them for
the current calamities affecting the nation haunt.
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Dr. Charles Eghweree
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Dr Bolaji assured
participants that Christians can take charge of the affairs of the country and
disclosed that the programme is designed to bring everyone in the Body of
Christ together to understand the dynamics of politics, and the fact that there
is no way that Christians can have good governance without being a part of the
process, as everyone desires good governance, but there is a process that must
be followed to achieve control.
“Politics For Today’s
Church” is all about bringing everybody in the Body of Christ together to
understand the dynamics of politics; and the fact that there is no way we can
have good governance without being part of the process. Now, the yearning of
everyone is for good governance, but there is a process that must lead to the
emergence of good governance, and that process is called politics. And how do
you play politics? You play politics by talking, consulting, debating and
presenting your position. That is why this platform was created to educate the
church that the more you talk, the better you get. To talk more in politics is
to get more.”
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Bishop Theophilus Ajose
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The keynote speaker,
Head of the Department of Political Science, University of Benin, Dr Charles
Eghweree, got the ball rolling and advised Christians not to stay in politics
because they live in the same environment where politicians make laws, stating
that Christians and Muslims are identified as the dominant religious electorate
around the world.
“The demographic
across the world identify Christians and Muslims as the dominant religious
circle, and the church has become apolitical over the years. When you err to
religious belief without the requisite political inclination, that will enable
you to participate in the process of forming a government, you will be
committing willful suicide. Because if you can avoid the political process,
thinking that it’s for the ungodly, there is no way you can escape the
unpleasant consequences of the rule by the ungodly.”
Dr Eghweree continued,
saying, "In ancient Greek history, the Age of the Papacy was when the
church ruled both politics and religion. It only changed during the Age of the
Renaissance when the people became knowledgeable about their rights for a
movement for human rights. In the Nigerian context, we became politically
apathetic to the extent that we have given up all that truly belongs to us as a
right.
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Bishop Daniel Oluwajumade
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Bishop Theophilus
Ajose, Coordinator, Directorate of Politics and Governance, Pentecostal
Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) / Executive of Directorate, Politics and Governance
at the National level, in his presentation on money, pastors, and Nigerian
politics, quoted Revelation 20. 15 and noted that till eternity, Christians
should rule this world. Religion has been controlling governance from time
immemorial from Bible time to the present stage.
“Religion has always
been a pivot for political empowerment. No one becomes a president in Italy
without the part of the church. You can never ascend to govern in Britain
without The Church of England. Even in the USA, it is somehow evangelical to
bring someone to power.”
He went further to
state that the church has long been double-crossed by Nigerian politicians, who
frequently take them for granted when it comes to political programmes and
their implementations, by deceiving and ridiculing them with gifts that cannot
solve any of their immediate problems; citing an example of a politician giving
a bag of rice to the entire Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in Lagos
state.
He said, “For
instance, the Church was locked down despite its strict observance of Covid-19
protocols. Politicians that are not Christians are controlling most of our
Church fathers. Lagos is more Islamized than what obtains in the North. They
have politicized many things against the Church.”
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Bishop Steven Dada Ogedengbe
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Ajose questioned why
the Church could not produce its candidate and lamented a situation where
Christians were often used against themselves in most cases.
“We have received
prophecies but where is the Joshua of our generation? It makes me sad that the
Pentecostals are not coming together in Nigeria. If Nigeria is ripped off or
saved today it is by the Pentecostals. We must work together as one. We must
ensure that our votes count and are counted.” He explained while calling on all
Christians to support the Directorate of Politics and Governance as established
by the Christian Association of Nigeria and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.
In light of this,
Bishop Ajose also informed the statistical force of the church that,
“Christians command the political goodwill in Nigeria. Nigeria has the largest
Christian concentration in Africa with a Christian population of about 125
million people. The numerical strength of the Church in Nigeria is more than
that of the registered voters in the country.”
In his presentation on
Family, State, or Constitutional, and Church Government, Oyo state clergyman
Bishop Daniel Oluwajumade openly declared the failure of the church in its
responsibilities and counseled Christians to study the three branches of
government and apply what they learn for the benefit of and well-being of
society as a whole.
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Rev. Olu Johnson & Wife
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“The best government,
which is supposed to balance the family government and the constitutional
government in life, is the church government, but the church has failed. These
were in existence to ensure that the social issues in society are governmental
controlled for the peaceful existence of every nation on earth.”
Bishop Oluwajumade,
Director of State Issues and Social Welfare, Christian Association of Nigeria
(CAN), Oyo State, urged Christians with political interests to be encouraged by
other Christians in other areas of their respective callings and advocated that
Christian seminary schools should include political theology as one of their
core courses, which will help Christian politicians learn more about their
political calling. He advised politicians who abused experienced men of God in
their campaigns to stop doing so, or else they would fail.
The Oyo based clergy
advised Christians to go about it as apostolic politicians, prophetic
politicians, pastoral politicians, evangelistic politicians and econometric
politicians, adding that, “All these will help them to operate successfully at
their levels of elective and appointive realms of offices."
“In effect, it will
enhance a peaceful, developed, loving society with the fear of God and
political stability, as it will also lead to an explosion in professional
leadership, poverty eradication, the entrenchment of cultural values, awareness
and practice as well as allow for use of mother tongue language.”
The highlight of the
event was the panel discussion, moderated by Apostle Mandy Nwachukwu, where
Spirit-filled intellectual Christians shared their ideas and experiences about
the Church and Christians today. The panellists consisted of Bishop Steven Dada
Ogedengbe, Wisdom Chapel Worldwide and first Initiator of Inter-Faith
Convergence on Security in Nigeria, Rev. Olu Johnson, Senior Pastor of Great
Commission Bible Church Oko Oba / National President, United Gospel Churches
Association of Nigeria, Comrade Ayo Ademiluyi, October 2020 Attorney of
#ENDSARS, and Rev. Dr J.B. Odofin, Chair Emeritus of ECWA Southern District
Council.
Bishop Steven
Ogedengbe in his submission asked if the men of integrity would be humble
enough to lead the polity in Nigeria like George Washington led the Americans
with the Bible. However, he stated that what the church has done for our
country is unsurpassed anyplace in the world, but we do not celebrate the grace
within us.
“What we have done to
this nation, as a church is unparalleled anywhere in the world, but we are not
celebrating the grace in us. It will take a combination of political and
spiritual power to bring the expected transformation of Nigeria. The Bible says
the harvest is ripe and the labourers are few. The solution is in the church,
but If there is no ambition in Christendom of men that are already tested on
the altar, and have passed the mark of time, we are voting for nominal
Christian, we will not get any result.”
Regarding women in
Nigerian politics, Rev. Olu Johnson pointed out that men never asked before God
saw the need for a woman in a man's life. He urged women to know their place in
nation-building and to fully engage in national politics - they are the mothers
of nations. “Women are however
limited by their revolution of confrontation and non-submissiveness as part of
the problems of women in public life.”
Rev Johnson explained
how Christians and Muslims could advance Nigeria as God has a motive for
bringing Muslims and Christians together as a secular state,
“God has his reason
for putting Muslims and Christians together as a secular state. For that
reason, we have to work together and we should work against divisive issues.”
Comrade Ademiluyi,
quoting Joel 2:28, urged the Nigerian Church to participate in the election
process by voting at polling stations. He also stated that he would prepare
Nigerian youths for the elections in 2023.
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Dr Bolaji Akinyemi & Bishop Dr Joe Ighalo Edoro
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“We need to stand as
candidates in that election. The oppressors cannot be in the same party as the
oppressed. As youths, we must test our strength. We need to challenge the
processes as Christians. We should also be interested in constitutional reviews
in the states.”
Rev Dr J.B. Odofin,
Chair Emeritus of ECWA Southern District Council, advised the Directorate for
Policy and Governance to come up with a roadmap for policy direction and called
for Christian advocates to wake up every time Nigeria's problems are discussed,
especially when it comes to passing legislation.
“We must keep in view
the critical need to restructure our federation. it is not enough to have PVC
if we are not involved in partisan politics where candidates are chosen.”
It was unanimously
declared that Christians should not regard party appointments as a mistake or
believe that Christians involved in politics are not genuine Christians.
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The Moderator & Panelists
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Dr Bolaji concluded
that the modalities of a Muslim-Christian alliance for good governance needed
to be worked out to disarm the mischievous intentions of evil politicians in
his interview with the media disclosed that, as the organiser of the Apostolic
Round Table and president of the PVC-Naija Initiatives, he has been working on
putting together the 2022 Bible Speaking Conference, which is more of a Bible
interpretive forum with renowned men of God, for some time.
“BSC’ is the ministry
programme of Voice Of his Words Ministries which is an Apostolic teaching
ministry, and BSC is more or less a biblical interpretation forum. We felt it
is our duty and obligation to offer the church the biblical interpretation and
insight into what politics is, and how the church can play in it.
Dr Bolaji promised to fulfill the purpose of the Apostolic Round Table by leading this conference
through the city of Lagos and all 744 Local Government Areas to create the
connection and awareness of that unity needed for the church to understand that
the place of agreement is the place of power.
“Taking this programme
round the environs of Lagos and 744 LGAs in Nigeria is the purpose of Apostolic
Round Table; and the commitment of Bible Speaking conference to bring
interpretation and knowledge to the believers on how to engage in the field of
politics.”
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A Cross Session of Speakers & Panelists
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Present at the event
are Pastor Timothy Olaniyan, Director of the newly established Directorate of
Politics and Governance, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), who
represented Pastor E. A. Adeboye and the Redeemed Christian Church of God,
Nigeria, Bishop Dr Oliver Praise, Bishop Dr Joseph Ighalo Edoro and Apostle
Sola Oyelade who represented the Diaspora, and a host of others. Solo Cosmos
performed music ministration.
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(l-r) Bishop Ajose, Bishop Daniel & Bishop Dr Oliver Praise
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Rev. Mrs Joy Akinyemi & Dr Bolaji Akinyemi
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Apostle Mandy Nwachukwu (Moderator)
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Bishop Daniel Oluwajumade
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(l-r) Dr Egheweree, Bishop Oluwajumade, Dr Akinyemi & Mrs Akinyemi
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The Choir
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A Group Photo of Speakers & Panelists
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Bishop Steven Dada Ogedengbe & Bishop Olu Johnson
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Dr Charles Egheweree & Bishop Daniel Oluwajumade
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Solo Cosmos (Artiste)
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Dr Charles Egheweree
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Bishop Ajose Hugs Bishop Oluwajumade
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| (l-r) Dr Bolaji, Barr Ayo Ademiluyi, Mandy & Bishop Ogedengbe |
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Dr Bolaji Akinyemi
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Dr Akinyemi, Bishop Ighalo & Mrs Akinyemi
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Salome Oputa
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| Barr Ayo Ademiluyi |
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Solo Cosmos (Gospel Artiste)
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