Politics
New Primate Wants Christians Active Involvement In Politics
The New Anglican Primate in Church of Nigeria, His Grace, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh has urged Christians to participate actively in the politics of the country to provide the much-needed good leadership.
Okoh spoke in his sermon at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Gwarinpa, Abuja shortly after his presentation as the 4th Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria.
The new Primate argued that if Christians refused to get in active involvement in politics because of the dirty nature of he political game, the situation would give room for unchristian minds to hijack the political scene to the detriment of the citizenry.
The Archbishop noted that the Nigeria and Nigerians stand to gain if persons with the fear of God rule the polity. “When the righteous rules, the nation rejoices,” the cleric quoted the scripture to buttress his point.
The minister of God who blamed Nigeria’s woes on poor leadership said the involvement of more Christians in politics would strengthen the walls of Nigerian leadership to enhance quality service delivery to the citizenry.
He however, advised Nigerian leaders to pursue the general good of the people and not the interest of their pockets, noting that there is always a time for stewardship and accountability.
In another development, the General Overseer, Faith Revival Apostolic Church (FRAC), Idimu, Lagos, Apostle Paul Adenuga also stressed the need for active involvement of the church in politics in Nigeria.
Adenuga told newsmen that the involvement of upright and God-fearing people would provide the much-needed good leadership.
The cleric spoke at the end of a programme tagged: “Power to Heal Sickness,” held at the Church headquarters in Idimu, Lagos.
He however, advised Christians wishing to contest elective positions in 2011 “not to bring shame to Christianity through corrupt tendencies but to emulate Christ and not bring shame to his name.”
“They should remember that the world is not their home and would one day give account of their stewardship to God. If they understand this, they cannot misbehave,” he said.
Adenuga explained that people should seek not elective posts for the sake of pursuing personal wealth but to enrich the lives of others.
According to him, any Christian politician, who has failed the people cannot claim to be a Christian, noting that such a politician only operate under the cloak of religion.
Adenuga said for Nigeria to develop, there is a need for people in position of power to tell the followers the truth at all times.
He asked Church leaders to seek God’s forgiveness and return to true fellowship with Christ.
He decried the current spate setting up missionary universities by some Churches with the sole aim of making money. He said such motives have ruined the objective of missionary schools which were set up to provide morals and instill the fear of God in students.
In a statement on Saturday, the former Senate Leader stated that the allocation of nominees across states and geopolitical zones falls short of the constitutional requirement for fair representation in the composition of the Federal Government.
The ex-Senate Whip warned that allowing the list to pass could deepen ethnic suspicion at a time when the administration should be consolidating national unity.
He highlighted disparities in the spread of nominees, noting that while some states have three or four slots, others have none. He also cited the inclusion of Senator Adamu Garba Talba from Yobe, who reportedly died in July.
“The entire North-East states have seven nominees in the list. Further checks revealed that the South-West geo-political zone has 15 nominees, while North-West and South-East have 13 and 9, respectively.
“North-Central region has 10 nominees in the list of career and non-career ambassadorial nominee while South-South parades 12 nominees,” Senator Ndume said.
According to him, such imbalances could heighten tensions and undermine Section 14(3) of the Constitution.
“My sincere appeal to President Tinubu is to withdraw this list. At this critical juncture in his administration, he should avoid missteps that could undermine national unity and foster ethnic distrust.
“I know him to be a cosmopolitan leader who is at home with every segment and stakeholder in the country. He should withdraw that list and present a fresh set of nominees that will align with the spirit of the Constitution on the Federal Character Principle,” Senator Ndume added.
He accused the legislators of undermining the sanctity of the legislature and acting as instruments of destabilization.
“The members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have, by their actions since they assumed office, shown that they are political puppets and a clog in the wheels of democratic progress,” Comrade Ememobong stated, adding that “They will go down in history as enemies of democracy and those who made mockery of the legislature.”
“So the easiest way to describe their action is a defection from APC to APC,” he said.
Comrade Ememobong announced that the party would deploy constitutional provisions to reclaim its mandate from those who have “ignobly and surreptitiously” abandoned the platform on which they were elected.
“Consequently, the PDP will take legal steps to activate the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) to recover the mandate gained under the banner of our party which these people have now switched to another platform,” he said.
He urged party members in Rivers State to remain calm and steadfast.
“We urge all party members in Rivers State to remain faithful and resolute, as efforts are underway to rebuild the party along the path of inclusiveness, fairness and equity,” Comrade Ememobong assured.
As the news of the defection of 17 members of Rivers State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP )to the All Progressives Congress (APC) continue to make the rounds, a cross section of Rivers people who spoke to The Tide have expressed varying views regarding the development.
At Etche, a senior lecturer with the Rivers State University, who did not want his name in print, said even though defection was the right of politicians, peace and stability remained more fundamental than any action that could further challenge the fragile political situation in the state at the moment.
He also warned that the situation should not be used to witch-hunt any one, adding that the state had suffered enough and needed to be at peace.
In his reaction, Engr Polycarp Geoffrey said even though citizens and residents of the state had cause to be concerned about the decision of the lawmakers, there was nothing to worry about if it was done in good faith.
“I don’t think there is any big deal about it – defection is defection. But people are worried because of past events in the state. So, for me, I don’t see anything about it”, he said.
Engr Geoffrey also urged the Governor Siminalayi Fubara to also openly declare political affiliation in a bid to douse the political tension in the state and to provide clarity regarding his future political direction.
Another respondent, Mr Ebere Alex, alleged ulterior motive behind the law makers’ defection but urged both the law makers and the governor to work for the peace and development of the state.
However, speaking on the development, a chieftain of the PDP in the state, Hon Nname Ewor, told The Tide that said his party would reach out to the remaining lawmakers who have not defected.
He also denied an alleged internal squabble within the PDP, adding that there was no crisis in the party.
It would be recalled that 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Martin Amaewhule, during plenary last Friday, announced their migration from the PDP to the APC, citing internal party crisis.
Other members who also defected were the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Dumle Maol, representing Gokana Constituency; House Leader, Hon. Major Jack, representing Akulga Constituency 1 and Deputy Leader, Hon. Linda Somiari-Stewart, representing Okrika Constituency; Hon. Solomon Wami, Port Harcourt Constituency 1 and Hon Granville Tekena Wellington representing Asari Toru Constituency 1; Hon. Ofiks Kagbang, representing Andoni Constituency; Hon. Peter Abbey representing Degema Constituency; Hon. Arnold Dennis representing Ogu/Bolo Constituency; Hon. Chimezie Nwankwor representing Etche Constituency 2 and Hon. Franklin Nwabochi representing Onelga Constituency 1.
The rest were, Hon. Azeru Opara, representing Port Harcourt Constituency 3; Hon. Smart Adoki representing Port Harcourt Constituency 2; Hon. Igwe Afforji ,Eleme Constituency and Hon. Lolo Opuende representing Akuku Toru Constituency 2.
By: John Bibor
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