The Redeemed Christian Church of God led by Pastor Enoch
Adeboye has created the Office of Directorate of Politics and Governance to
engage members willing to be involved in politics and “mobilise support for
them when required”.
In a memo addressed to all regions, provinces, zones and
other levels of the church, the mission said the directorate was created for
political education of its members.
The directorate, it was learnt, would also prod members of
the church to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the 2023 general
elections.
The memo dated February 28, 2022, and titled, ‘Office of
Directorate of Politics and Governance’ has the reference number:
RCCG/AGO/ADM/AA/MEMO/20/01/2022.
It was signed by the Assistant General Overseer in charge of
Administration and Personnel, Pastor John Odesola.
The memo partly read, “We write to formally notify you that
the mission authority has created the Office of Directorate of Politics and
Governance in the RCCG. Further to this, Pastor Timothy Olaniyan (PICP Lagos
Province 12) has been appointed to lead the Office.
“You are kindly requested to appoint with immediate effect a
Provincial Officer for your province and also ensure that the same is done at
all levels of the church – zone, area and parish. The essence of this
directorate is to help coordinate the engagement of our people who are willing
to be involved in politics as well as mobilize support for them when required.”
RCCG, therefore, asked that its parishes send the details of
its nominated coordinators for the office to Odesola within two weeks of
receipt of the letter.
When contacted on Thursday, RCCG Head of Media
and Public Relations, Pastor Olaitan Olubiyi, said the directorate is to
sensitise members of the church for active political participation.
He said, “One thing I know is that we have a directorate on
politics and governance to galvanise opinion and views to discuss issues as
they occur, not only in Nigeria but globally, because as Christians we cannot
afford to act ignorantly. It is to serve as a form of sensitisation (for those
interested in politics) and to mobilise our people to register and play their
own roles, collect PVCs. Those who are interested, let them join the political
party they choose.”
RCCG have no preferred political party —Spokesman
Olubiyi further emphasised that while the church supports
active political involvement by its members, it does not have a preferred
political party. “As far as the Redeemed Christian Church of God is concerned,
we don’t have any favourite party,” the official added.
Arguably the largest church in Nigeria with parishes in over
190 nations of the world, RCCG has prominent members and pastors in governance
including Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); wife of All Progressives Congress
leader, Remi Tinubu; amongst others.
Although Bola Tinubu has declared interest to contest the
highest political seat in the land, Osinbajo has yet to officially declare an
ambition. However, his supporters have been urging him to succeed his
principal, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), come May 29, 2023.
With about a year to the next general elections in Nigeria,
the political climate is becoming charged as political gladiators have started
permutations on who to put forward as the presidential flagbearers of the two
main parties – the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, even as presidential
primaries are expected to hold anytime soon.
Serial defections have also occurred in the last few months
as part of posturing for who will occupy the much-coveted seat in Aso Rock just
as the debate for zoning between the Southern and Northern regions has also
dominated public discourse.
The 17 southern governors at various times had unanimously
demanded that the next President must come from the region after the eight-year
tenure of Buhari who is from Katsina State in North-West Nigeria.
On January 1, 2022, while announcing his New Year
prophecies, Adeboye said God has not told him who would become Nigeria’s
President in 2023.
“If somebody asks me today like many people are already
doing, ‘Daddy, who is going to be our next President?’ The answer is: I don’t
know. ‘How can you say you don’t know? You’re Daddy’s (God’s) son.’ He hasn’t
told me yet. You don’t do guesswork with prophecy,” the cleric who celebrated
his 80th birthday recently said.
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