2019 Polls: Religious leaders applaud media, warn politicians against rigging, vote buying

Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Chukwuemeka Kanu Uche JP, Archbishop of Lagos, Dr. Isaac Ayobami Olawuyi and former Chairman, Lagos Council of Knights, Methodist Church Nigeria, Dame Maryam Akintola, have applauded the role of the media in stabilising the nation’s polity, warning godless politicians against rigging at the polls and vote buying that could result to violence or insecurity.

They also charged Nigerians and other nationals resident in Nigeria to pray for God-chosen leaders who would lead the nation to the promised land, whereby dividends of democracy would be realized for an improved economy. They spoke at the enthronement and presentation thanksgiving service for the new Archbishop of Lagos Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr. Isaac Ayobami Olawuyi, held at the Wesley Cathedral Olowogbowo, Lagos, witnessed by distinguished personalities that included Lagos State Governorship APC Aspirant, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, His Deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, as well as over thirty bishops and archbishops.

Olawuyi pleaded with the audience to surrender themselves to God and experience divine turnaround. Berating the state of the nation’s socio-economic infrastructure and the insecurity that has enveloped the nation, Olawuyi pleaded with politicians on the need for peaceful co-existence among all to promote a vibrant economy, urging all to shun votes buying, thuggery and other vices.

Also, President, Kingdom Redemption Outreach Center International, USA, Apostle Faith Eden-Osakwe has called on Nigerians not to sell their destinies on the altar of money.

In a chat with The Guardian, Eden-Osakwe said she wanted Nigeria back even better than the one she used to know. She said: “The Nigeria I grew up in was a nation where we all celebrated Ramadan and Christmas together. It was where we were free to walk on the streets without fear of being kidnapped or killed for rituals.”I remember some of my neighbours who were idol worshippers. We all lived together with one purpose, the progress of our nation, Nigeria.”

Warning that a house divided against itself shall not stand the cleric pointed out that those who want to Islamise or make Jewish out of Nigerians do not have their interest at heart. Eden-Osakwe said Nigerians should stop living as slaves in foreign lands and rise together to take the nation back from those that want to put them in bondage.

The cleric who reminiscence on the old and new national anthems urged the citizenry to arise as one and take the country back from the brink. She called on those with Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) to go out and cast their votes saying the that the destiny of the country is in their hands.”Don’t sell your vote. Don’t sell your destiny”, she counseled.