BY EMMANUEL EKEBE/MICHAEL ILAYA
THE Members representing Isoko Federal and Ughellli North Constituencies, Hon. Jonathan Ukodhiko and Hon. Ejiroghene Waive, respectively, have urged Christians to deploy politics as a tool to advance the kingdom of God.
They also urged Christians to be guided by divine principles, righteous intentions, and a heart fully yielded to God.
Hon. Ukodhiko and Hon. Waive, who were speaking as lecturers at the Session of the Ninth Synod of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Diocese of Oleh, called on Nigerians, especially the Christians, to take ownership of the country’s political future by participating in politics, asserting that politics is not a dirty game as it is popularly acclaimed, rather it is some of the players that are dirty.
“All authority has been given to man to dominate in the affairs of mankind and what is demanded of a Christian to do is to take action to fulfill this purpose.
“Politics is one of the tools God uses to shape mankind in either ways in order to have good life and bring mankind to himself”.
“If as believers, we abandon politics, it means we will be handing over power to those who do not fear God”.
The two House of Rep. members made these declarations Saturday when delivering separate Synod lectures under the titles ‘ Advancing God’s kingdom Through Politics’ and ‘The Gospel in Politics: Shinning God’s Light through Governance’ respectively.
Hon. Ukodhiko making reference to biblical injunctions, emphasised that the church, historically, has not been a passive observer but an agent of God, equipped to fullfil His purpose, and that God do not call people without a purpose.
Ukodhiko recalled how early believers’ efforts in leadership positions like Daniel, Ester, Joseph, Moses amongst the lots, exerted political leadership authority and shaped their nation with spiritual impact, noting that they have always been at the forefront of shaping legal, social, and moral norms.
“The church was not only responsible for prayers, but also stood as a voice of conscience during the early Christendom. Its leaders championed democratic values and human rights,” he said.
He stated further that when the church leaves politics, the evil will take over governance and destinies of up to the fourth generations will be skewed negatively due to wicked policies.
The Isoko rep at the green chamber, said that churches today must continue to uphold those traditions by advocating honesty, accountability, and righteousness, not just from others, but also from within their own.
Delivery his lecture, Hon. Waive said that true change in governance and development would only come when the church prays for those in authorities as God connects the kind of life we live with the kind of people in Authority.
He urged christians to engage meaningfully in the political process, join political parties, attend parties’ meetings, as politics and Christianity can blend easily, stating that “when believers are in authority, we have peace”.
Waive while charging the Christians that “the church should always support and pray for members who want to venture into politics; but not to pressurize them financially”, added a caveat that christians are expected to always pay attention to political information for proper directions.
While making his remarks at the Synod, held at the St Michael’s Anglican Church, Emevor, the chairman of ceremony, Comrade (Chief) Ovuozourie Samuel Macaulay identified the absence of leadership training as the major challenge confronting politics in recent times.
The former SSG, while speaking on the banes of political narratives said “Most of us in politics today do not go through leadership training”, adding that human is the most complex being to lead.
He then charged the church to reclaim its transformative role in members political tutelage, stressing that Christian must take the front seat and active engagement with politics, emphasizing that “politics does not entails bitterness, not a call to create malice, disagreement, betrayal and other negative virtues as exemplified today”.
Speaking further, Chief Ovuozourie stated that if the associated negative trend should continue unabated, Isoko politically will go into extinction.
He, however, commended Bishop Aruakpor for promoting and providing direction in making the church to be self-sufficient, admonishing that the church should not think of building big mansions, rather be investment driven to avoid christians to be compromised and being compromised variously.
Dignitaries present at the lecture session of the Synod include Most Revd Timothy Yahaya, Hon. Godwin Ogorugba, Chairman Isoko North Government Council and his Isoko South Counterpart, Hon. Ovoke Friday Warri, Dr. Paul Oweh, Chairman Health Management Board among others.
The well-attended Ninth Synod was rounded off with a thanksgiving service yesterday at the St Michael’s Church, Emevor.
