Prophet Kayode Abiara
is the General Evangelist Worldwide, Christ Apostolic Church. In this
interview with GBENGA ADERANTI, he reflects on the goings on in the
country and proffers solutions. He believes things could be better if
the leaders do the right thing. Excerpts:
The problem of Boko Haram still
persists, despite the declaration of state of emergency in the three
volatile states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. Why does the problem still
linger in those enclaves?
The government is trying its best, but
this problem cannot be solved by the declaration of the state of
emergency in the trouble parts of the country. You must understand that
the President depends on his advisers to take any decision, that is why
he took that step and people liked it.
But when we study the Bible, you will
understand that what is happening right now is a sign that the end time
is near. There is nothing you can do than to pray and seek the face of
the Lord. Jesus said when the end time comes, you would see killings
here and there and attacks. The only thing we can do is for everybody to
move closer to God and seek the face of the Lord. The solution to
insecurity in Nigeria is beyond human imagination. If it was not for
prayers by both Christians and Muslims, everything would have collapsed
in this country. This country has the backing of the God Almighty.
It is not acceptable that a set of
people will continue to kill and attack people. A Muslim will never
slaughter another human being. A true Muslim will never kill. Former
Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu is a Muslim; Governor of
Lagos State, Mr. Raji Fashola is a Muslim; Oyo State Governor, Abiola
Ajimobi is a Muslim; Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is a
Muslim. I don’t think those people killing innocent souls in the north
are Muslims. Maybe Nigeria has to tighten security at around its
borders. The killings are getting too much; even these people kill
Muslims too.
I want to appeal to our people in the
South West of the country not to embark on a retaliatory measure. I
don’t want them to see it in the light that a section of the people
hates them, it is not that these people are killing Christians alone,
they kill Muslims too. Nigeria needs to find solution to the problem of
insecurity.
You seem to have interest in Fashola, Aregbesola and Tinubu. Any relationship with them?
Osun State is my state of origin. there
is nothing wrong is paying a visit to the governor of my state. My first
contact with Ahmed Bola Tinubu was about 23 years ago at the airport in
the United Kingdom. When he sighted me, he came to me and said ‘this is
‘Papa’, he really appreciated me. He is a Muslim and ever since then,
we have maintained the contact. The man is generous, he helps people a
lot. He has the spirit of God in him. I met Asiwaju’s wife Oluremi on a
plane. She saw me and walked down to my seat. She is a very humble
woman, both of them are good and humble, that is why they are loved by
all. Same for Fashola. Though I have not been to his office, what he is
doing is a testimony that he is a good man. Ajimobi is also doing a good
job in Ibadan. You just need to go and see what he is doing.
You said if it was not for Muslims and
Christians praying for Nigeria, things would have been worse for this
country. But why is it that some of your colleagues do not recognise
other religion?
We don’t have two Gods, we serve one
God. Those who are good Muslims are men of peace. Ever since God called
me, I’ve moved very close to them. For example in Agbeni, Ibadan, Oyo
State, Baba Adisa is there, he is a Muslim. He sold the land where I
built my church to me. He once said to me then: ‘Abiara, I love the way
you do things’.
It is not in my culture to criticise any
religion at all. The wicked people who masquerade as Muslims, God will
punish them. Look at the owner of Muri TV, he is a Muslim, he is gentle
and generous.
Many people have been complaining about
the flamboyant life style of some of your colleagues, what do you have
to say about this?
This set of pastors is still young. You
cannot blame them. By the time they grow and acquire experience, they
will understand some things. You cannot buy experience in the market. In
the 50 years I have been in the vineyard, I’ve met so many people and I
know so many things. For these young pastors, we can only pray for
them. They will adjust as time goes on, and as they grow in the
ministry.
Despite the multiplicity of churches, there is everywhere and appearing to be overtaking good. Why is this so??
Don’t be disturbed. Were it not for the
prayers we have been observing, situations would have been worse than
they are today in the country. Until Jesus comes, violence will persist.
Satan will never use animals to do bad things; it is Satan that is
using them. Satan is the one using all these people that are killing.
You are close to those in authority; have you ever bothered to ask them when will ever going to have stable power supply?
Politicians who seek our votes always
promise that within six months, they will fix the power problem, but
none of them has been able to do anything. We are close to middle class
and those at the lower rungs of the ladder are getting hefty bills
without giving them quality service. They keep bringing bills without a
corresponding improvement in the services they offer. Government should
find a permanent solution to this problem.
Politicians are busy about 2015. Don’t you think this is a distraction?
The politicians should make the lives of
people better rather than think about 2015. They should not kill
themselves before the time. They have to keep their promises. I pray
that God almighty will continue to help us.
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This end time theory holds no water: there had always been killings, earthquakes, flood, fire, etc, before and after Christ so why link today's problems to end-time approaching?
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