It has been observed that President Muhammadu Buhari has shown a particular fondness for pastors throughout his political career. However, the underlying reasons for this preference have not been widely discussed. While the previous running mates of Buhari, namely Dr. Chuba Williams Okadigbo in 2003 and Edwin Ume-Ezeoke in 2007, were not pastors, the subsequent choices of Tunde Bakare in 2011, Yemi Osinbajo in 2015 and 2019, all reflected his inclination towards selecting pastors. Additionally, individuals such as David Babachir Lawal, the former Secretary General of the Federation (SGF), and Femi Adesina, the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Buhari, both hold pastoral positions.
The question arises as to why President Buhari holds such an affinity for pastors. Some argue that having these individuals in government, particularly in Buhari's administration, is seen as a blessing. They are perceived as representatives of the Church within the corridors of power, tasked with safeguarding the interests of the Christian community. Their presence alongside a government led by a Muslim figure is seen as a source of divine favor.
However, those who subscribe to this belief should also be mindful of the consequences that may arise from such a viewpoint. The Bible explicitly cautions against being misled, emphasizing the need for discernment. It is disheartening to observe that Christians in Nigeria, despite possessing historical knowledge and awareness of potential threats, have not taken significant action to protect their faith.
It is no secret that Christianity in Nigeria is facing considerable challenges. Oppressors no longer operate covertly; they now carry out brazen attacks with impunity, secure in the knowledge that both the Federal and State governments support their actions. These assailants employ military-grade weapons to perpetrate acts of violence, while victims are often urged to exercise restraint. Astonishingly, little attention has been given to the origin of these oppressors' weaponry and training.
The persecution of Christians in Nigeria is unfortunately not an unfamiliar phenomenon. The agenda against Christianity in the country is well-documented, and yet it appears that the Church, as a collective entity, finds solace in merely tallying the losses it endures. Following each attack, there may be transient reactions, but church leaders swiftly shift their focus back to politics, leaving the incidents behind.
Past discussions have broached topics such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Fulanization agenda, the purported Islamization agenda, and the alleged Northern agenda against the South. Concerns have been raised that Nigeria could follow in the footsteps of Turkey. The evidence supporting these claims is readily available, yet the Church remains inactive and oblivious.
It is important to recall the warning issued by Pastor Olatunbosun Emmanuel from the Redeemed Christian Church of God before the 2015 presidential election. He made alarming revelations about the hidden agenda driving the activities of Boko Haram, Fulani herdsmen, and other covert killings targeting Christians in the country. Pastor Emmanuel explicitly emphasized the existence of a secret jihad being waged against Christians within their own nation. He ardently warned against electing a Muslim president in the 2015 election, highlighting the potential damage it could inflict upon Christianity. Regrettably, despite these warnings, President Buhari is currently serving his second term in office.
Has God abandoned Christians in Nigeria? Absolutely not. The reality is quite the opposite. In Matthew 12:29 (NET), Jesus states, "How else can someone enter a strong man's house and steal his property, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can thoroughly plunder the house." Christians in Nigeria have been outmaneuvered by those they have dismissed as illiterate Almajiris from the North. What have the pastors serving in President Buhari's administration done to safeguard the faith entrusted to them?
The Northern elites have demonstrated their astuteness. While it may have been assumed that these pastors were appointed with the best interests of Christianity in mind, they were, in fact, used as pawns to test the resilience of Christian leaders in Nigeria. They epitomize the shepherds described by Jesus in John 10:12. Pastor Emmanuel's warning that Nigeria could become another Turkey, barring divine intervention, may have been more accurate than anticipated.
The Church in Nigeria is teeming with hired servants rather than true shepherds. There is little evidence to suggest that they are willing to lay down their lives for the sake of the Church's survival. This becomes particularly evident when the pastors in proximity to the president turn a blind eye to the atrocities and injustices perpetrated against the very people they are entrusted to lead.
The land is drenched in blood, and the Church shares in the guilt alongside its oppressors. The time for the Church to awaken has arrived. Division is not the solution; instead, it is a time to prevent the light from being extinguished, and this time cannot be postponed until tomorrow.
Kassai Adams wrote in via Critical Voices.