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.
Claiming that elections in the country are typically characterized by vote buying, Mr Nwosu said a repeat of such phenomenon would taint the credibility of the forthcoming gubernatorial poll.
Mr Nwosu is among the 16 governorship candidates listed by INEC in a June 4, 2025 statement to participate in the November 8, 2025 election in Anambra State.
His party, the ADC, will battle it out with other parties to unseat incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Mr Nwosu, in a statement on Saturday, said it was baffling seeing voters openly selling their votes to party agents and other representatives around polling units on election day.
According to him, “such practices not only derail the true will of the people but also reduce elections to an auction, where the state is effectively handed over to the highest bidder.”
Mr Nwosu urged INEC to introduce secure voting cubicles that would safeguard the legitimate rights of voters and uphold the sovereignty of democracy.
“INEC must provide secure voting cubicles to ensure ballots remain private and secret. Currently, many polling areas are too exposed, allowing others to see the voting process. This not only encourages vote buying but also undermines the integrity of the elections.
“Voting must remain secret. Nigeria already has strong electoral laws which, if properly enforced, can deliver outcomes that truly benefit society”, Mr Nwosu said.
He held that the Anambra governorship election was another opportunity for INEC to secure the trust of Nigerians about its commitment to transparency and fairness during polls.
He also noted the role of security agencies in tackling the menace of vote buying on the day of election.
He said, “The success of any political activity depends largely on security, because security is key. While it is not solely INEC’s duty to ensure elections are properly conducted, the Commission must create an enabling environment that allows citizens to participate freely, conduct themselves properly, and exercise their right to vote.”
The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, called on the relevant security agencies to investigate the attackers and their sponsors.
“The Labour Party is perplexed by the physical attack on our National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, by agents suspected to be working for anti-democratic elements who have tried unsuccessfully to wrestle the leadership of the party from him.
“Few hours ago, a prominent member of a known political family, Ms Precious Oruche, alias ‘Mama P’, accosted Barrister Abure while on a queue at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja, boarding a Max Air flight en route to Benin, and attacked the Labour Party’s National Chairman unprovoked.
“The attacker, Madam P, who is also a known content creator, continued the attack all through the duration of the flight, defying all attempts by the Max Air flight attendants to calm her.
“The assault, which attracted a large population of onlookers, continued unabated on disembarkment at the Benin Airport while she continued recording the scene.
“It took the intervention of the security agents on hand to whisk Abure to safety while the attacker was handed over to the police for questioning.
“In one of her films released, the lady, who is a prominent member of the ‘Obidient’ and claimed that she has contacts with the highest police hierarchy, boasted that nothing will happen to her.
“She vowed that she will not stop attacking Abure or any member of the Labour Party executive because, according to her, ‘you have killed Labour Party and you are the reason why Obi is no longer in the Labour Party.’
“The leadership of the Labour Party is completely troubled with this cyber-bullying and the consequences of the action of this political agent on the party. We are by this statement calling on the Inspector General of Police to thoroughly investigate this suicidal aggression against the leadership of the Labour Party and Barrister Julius Abure in particular.
“We sincerely believe that the lady-agent was on an assignment to accomplish the desires of her paymasters. Assault and cyber-bullying are severe crimes under our laws and we think that the Police must fish out her sponsors and cohorts, and bring them to book.
“We are calling on the members of the Labour Party to be calm, even in the face of this unwarranted provocation and wait for the outcome of the investigation on the unprovoked attack against the leadership of the party,” the statement read.
Speaking during the party’s congress in Yola, the state capital, on Saturday, Mr David Lorhenba, the chairman, Adamawa Congress Committee, described the exercise as hitch-free.
He said that a total of 2,656 delegates from 21 local government areas came out and elected 39 officials.
Mr Lorhenba commended the delegates for conducting themselves in an orderly manner.
“The conduct of the congress is very successful, all the delegates come from 21 Local Government Areas and cast their votes peacefully.
“We have a total of 2,656 delegates and we have announced the winners very successfully”, he said.
In his remarks, Alhaji Attahiru Shehu, the outgoing chairman, congratulated the new executives and charged them to continue on what they have already done for the party to remain strong.
According to him, they started as opposition in the state and produced Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri who is serving his second term, opining they “he has done well for the state.”
In his acceptance speech, Mr Madagali thanked the delegates for the confidence they reposed in him.
He promised to run an open door policy in manning the affairs of the party.
“Let us continue the legacy of good governance and prepare ahead for 2027 with focus, discipline and unity.
“To those outside our party, especially the youths and women of Adamawa, we invite you into our party.
“PDP is your home. Our doors are open to all who wish to contribute positively to the development of our state.
“Our party will continue to be a shining example of people-focused on leadership,” he said.
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