Cleric urges arming of citizens against herders, others

Disturbed by the incessant killings in the country, the General Overseer of Revival Assembly Church, Ikeja, Apostle Anselm Madubuko, has backed the call that Nigerian citizens should be licensed to carry guns to protect themselves against herdsmen and other attackers

Fielding questions yesterday from journalists at a press conference to announce the church’s 16th Azusa Conference holding from July 23 to 29 in Lagos, Madubuko wondered why a Nigerian should be killed like a chicken in his/her own house.

He said: “Definitely, I support the call. We should all carry arms. You should not be killed like a chicken in the house. At least, you should shoot somebody before you die. That is my belief and everybody is free to believe anything.”

He buttressed his stance by stating that Jesus knew that Peter had a knife while he was with Him and yet didn’t stop or ask him to drop it at the gate.

Madubuko went on: “Peter was there with Him, until he pulled out his knife and cut off Malchus’ ear and it was after the action that Jesus acted.

“So, they have to understand that we are not stupid people. There is a time to defend yourself. We are not going to take the guns to the streets. The gun will be in my house fully loaded. Once mad people come into my house, I will take them out from my room before they take me out. When somebody is carrying a gun to shoot you, do you say that the battle is of the Lord? You will be in heaven in two minutes.”

The cleric condemned the just concluded governorship election in Ekiti State where the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, emerged winner.

Madubuko, who held that Nigeria has what it takes to organise free and fair polls, stated: “I saw what happened in Ekiti State, and I really wept. My heart broke when I heard of the allegations from both parties, the APC and PDP. And it gives us no hope for 2019. If this is how it is going to be next year, then God has to help us. It was very disheartening seeing people openly sell their votes.

“The highest bidder won, that is all. And It is sad.”

He also frowned at pastors who claim that God instructs them to go into politics, adding that clerics have higher calling than politics.

“Christians can go into politics but not pastors. I don’t support pastors going into politics. Reason is that the office of a pastor is a higher calling,” he added.