As the country heads for the polls next month, the General Evangelist Worldwide of the Christ Apostolic Church, Prophet Samuel Abiara, has advised fellow clergymen to avoid making comments that could incite the electorate.
A popular Roman Catholic Priest in the South-East, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, had last week made comments about President Goodluck Jonathan that were considered to be offensive in some quarters.
He had asked the President to step down for the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), in next month’s election, stating that Jonathan had disappointed Nigerians in so many ways.
Nevertheless, Abiara said that it was not the job of clergymen to judge the country’s political leaders or make comments that could send the electorate into panic.
While speaking with our correspondent on the phone, he said the job of clergymen was to pray for the country and its leaders – whether they have performed well or not.
He said, “The Bible never tells us to judge as God’s ministers. No one has the right to abuse a leader of a country because it is God who appoints them to be in such positions. The job of clergymen is to keep praying for the country and not make comments that are offensive.
“It is against the scriptures that clergymen should abuse political leaders whether they do good or not. I have been in the ministry for over 50 years now and I have seen both good and bad leaders. However, it is my job to pray both in the good and the bad times. Ministers are not to be politically-inclined, but to pray for the peace of the country.”
Abiara also called for a peaceful conduct of the elections and added that contrary to those who had predicted violence during the period, there would be no crisis.
He said, “Every other country in the world conducts elections and only one candidate will surely win. We should learn to allow maturity come to play in every election. The person that loses should be brave enough to congratulate the winner; they can even work together and that is how the country can move forward.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
Baba go and sit down. The judge not passage is used wrongly. Speak the truth. Elisha spoke the truth in the bible. Is Nigeria any better? Stop being political mr pastor.
ReplyDelete