Politics
2027: Nigerians Victims Of Desperate Politicians – Cleric
He also emphatically declared that Nigerians were victims of ambitious politicians, stressing the need for the people to start questioning the legitimacy and credibility of politicians who are seeking for power.
The cleric, who is not afraid to speak the truth to powers-that-be, said this at a press conference held on Saturday to kick off the WOCOM Triple Celebrations 2025.
The Triple Celebrations 2025 was to mark the ministry’s annual convention tagged “Power of Faith Convention”, 40th anniversary of WOCOM and the 70th birthday celebration of its President, Apostle Popoola.
The WOCOM President spoke in support of a recent statement credited to Most Rev’D Williams Aladekugbe, Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of the Ibadan North Diocese (Anglican Diocese).
Rev. Aladekugbe, speaking at the burial service for the late 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, on Friday, had reportedly carpeted politicians already angling for elective offices, saying desperation will not work in the 2027 elections.
He described the actions of the desperate politicians already campaigning and bargaining for power in elections that are still about two years away as “disgraceful.”
“It is very disturbing that, while our government needs to focus on the myriad of problems confronting the nation, some politicians are already talking about 2027.
“This is a disgrace to governance, an abuse of the people’s mandate, and a reckless disregard for their concerns,” Rev. Aladekugbe added.
Apostle Popoola, supporting the statement by the fiery Anglican cleric, said: “I subscribe to what the man of God said.
“This is because this is two years to 2027 and people have left the assignment they are supposed to be focusing on, but are now focusing on elections.
“This means the next two years of our lives will be wasted on politicians trying to win votes, while the job they are supposed to do to alleviate the sufferings of the people will be neglected.
“Unfortunately, some of them who are already right now spending their times, abandoning the works they are supposed to do, looking for how to get votes, have not really done much for the people.
“So, it is like we have just become a victim of ambitious politicians who, whenever elections are coming, pose as lovers of the people.
“They will come and offer worthless things like one congo of rice and stuffs like that, that will not last the people for under one day or two to get their votes, and to gratify their own whims for the next four years.
“It is like there is a spell over the people of this nation, that no matter how we are treated, we keep quiet. We have been bastardised. We are dehumanised. But we keep quiet.
“They [Nigerians] know that this is what politicians do when elections are coming; they come and offer you stupid rice and worthless things. They get your votes and you would not see them again until the next four years.
“Yet, we keep falling into this trap continually and, no matter what they [the politicians] do in office, we don’t call them to account,” the WOCOM President added
Apostle Popoola said the time had come for NIgerians to begin to demand accountability ensure that those who really and truly are visionary, Godly, performers and with credibility were voted into elective offices.
“The issue wherein somebody just come from the blue and we never know him, and there is no prove if anything he has done in life and then we vote for him, what do you expect from such people?
“It is an unfortunate trend in our nation. That is why I said it is like we Nigerians are under spell; that, no matter the bastardisation, the impunity, we keep doing same thing and then we are crying for a change.
“It is not going to happen. The change in our hands is our votes. We cannot keep casting our votes for some politicians who come every four years and play on our intelligence and take our votes but deliver nothing,” he added.
Apostle Popoola however said all hope was not lost as he declared that the Church would play a very critical role in the 2027 elections across the country.
“The Bible says if the righteous are in power, the people rejoice. If the wicked bears rule, the people mourn. That is a matter of if.
“It took years of speaking out for people to begin to believe that a Godly person can play politics. Today, we are beginning to see well-meaning Christians, born again Christians going into politics.
“We are not as we may ought to be, but, at least, we have been able to improve on what it was. Now, you see the Church taking interest in politics, speaking out.
“And, then, we are also involved in trying to raise Christians who have that calling in ways that when they get into government, they will be able to maintain their faith, walk in truth, in righteousness and lead in a way that will be a blessing to the people and in a way that will lead the nation in the path of progress.
“We are raising Christians that will walk in a way that will lead in the path of justice, fairplay, equity and inclusion. These are the things that will make a nation to move forward.
“We have been able to do that and I have even gone further to look for a way to look at those who are contesting elections, particularly in this state [Oyo].
“We want to look for the best and give them spiritual support and advice. And God has helped us in this respect,” the WOCOM President added.
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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