Organisation encourages Christians to embrace politics

By Ifeoma Ikem

As part of the strategic meeting on Christians involvement in politics, denominational bodies were recently conveyed at Caritas Event Centre, Ikorodu Lagos to look at the problems they face and proffer solution and way forward.

The programme was designed to educate and sensitize Christians about their roles in politics across the nations.

It was organised through the Apostolic Round Table (ART) in conjunction Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN), Lagos east.

The chairman of the event, Chaplain Victor Kene Okafor, called on Christian bodies to see themselves as one in Christendom to arise and occupy.

Okafor noted that Christians should listen to the clarion call of the church as a body of Christ irrespective of their denomination, adding `we are one body and also do not allow what American church is experiencing today to happen in Nigerian.

He said the meeting was a continuation of their drive to seek the protection of Christian interests in Nigeria political space.

“Now is the time for the church to reflect deeply about her ways,’’ Okafor reiterated.

According to him, when the Lord said we should occupy until He returns, why have we become beggars politically in our own country?

“If politics is the game of numbers, doesn’t the church have the number? When God said that His people perish due to lack of knowledge and that is the reality today.

“Why is the church being beaten black and blue on all sides? No wonder Jesus said that the children of this world are wiser than the generation of the children of the light.

The convener, Dr Bolaji Akinyemi described the exercise as a wake up for Christians to ensure things are done properly, we need to put ourselves together with one voice.

Akinyemi pointed out that what happened in Edo state during the governorship election was that all the bodies of Christ spoke with one voice to choose a candidate and they achieved their aim.

He stressed that there is need for the Cama law to be amended and the issue of restructuring is also important and not a problem to the nation.

“I will advise Christians as a body of Christ to stand up and do the right thing and take their place, already we have leaders in the church to set up structures on how to operate on political space.

Mr Abayomi Agbede- Daniel, the national conference director, said that Apostolic Round Table was lunched to help the church know their potential, not only knowing their potential but to implore politics.

According to the director, church should key in irrespective of denominations, come together as one and take advantage of their potential.

“I will use this medium to admonish politicians to ensure they do what they were elected to do.

“Governance is quite expensive to run; we should begin to deplore resources into human capital, giving quality education and healthcare with basic infrastructure to the masses.

Sup. Evang. Dr Emmanuel Adegoke, in his message to Christians urged all denominations to see themselves as one body of Christ.

He noted that Churches in Nigeria have a major challenge of denomination which has caused more harms to Christianity.

He said that Christ told Christians to occupy until He comes.

“To preach his gospel across and occupy, we must start speaking with one voice and leave a legacy,’’ he said.

In his remarks, Commander Peter Olabode, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Ikorodu province, said part of the issues Christians face is that they do not live by example.

“I will advise the church as a body of Christ to leave a legacy, keep the commandment of the Lord Jesus Christ no matter the denomination you belong to, but the most important is to show love.

Apostle Moses Olugbaro of the Liberation Bible Church Ikorodu said Christians have great opportunities they embrace love, start doing the right things as our father did when He was on earth, things will be alright.

While urging churches to sustain the good work of Christ, he added that every other religious bodies will have confident in Christianity