N'Delta Group Threatens To Resist Alleged Plot To Coerce RCCG's Members To Vote Osibanjo/Buhari
…Tells Oritsejafor To Call Adeboye To Order
SAN FRANCISCO, February 04, (THEWILL) – A group, Niger Delta Indigenous Movement for Radical Change (NDIMC), on Tuesday, threatened to resist the alleged plot by Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) to coerce its church members to vote Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, a provincial senior pastor of the church, in the February presidential election.
Specifically, the group alleged that the General Overseer of the RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, had directed members of the church to vote All Progressives Congress (APC) during the presidential election.
The group, in a statement in Warri, Delta State, said they have it on high authority that RCCG's members are on a daily basis, during church service, being directed to vote APC in the February polls.
“Why must a church direct all its members nationwide to cast their vote for a Muslim whose intention is to Islamise the nation,” the group queried.
The group, while warning against the alleged directive, threatened that any attempt to coerce church members would be resisted.
The statement signed by its President, Nelly Emma; Secretary, John Sailor and Public Relations Officer, Stanley Mukoro, said it was wrong and misleading for a church to force its members to vote against their wish and aspirations.
“Information reaching us has it that members of RCCG nationwide are being directed on a daily basis during services that they must vote for Buhari, a die-hard Muslim, who does not believe in the unity and oneness of Nigeria”
“We dare say that this is wrong and we hereby condemn such misleading directive. Nigerians should be allowed to make a free choice during the general election and not a church taking it upon itself to direct all its members to vote for an ethnic bigotry, like Buhari who do not mean well for Nigerians.”
“Muslim clerics in the North are not urging Muslims to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan”, the group said.
The group therefore called on the President of the Christain Association of Nigerian (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, to prevail on the General Overseer of RCCG, Pastor Adeboye, on the alleged matter.
The statement said; “What the church should be doing at this critical time of our national life is to pray for the nation and the people, pray for a peaceful election and telling Nigerians to make a credible choice in the February's elections.”
“We know that RCCG is all over the world and a respected church for that matter. Why should pastors of the church now make it a point of duty to be campaigning for a Muslim presidential candidate? What will be the confidence of our people in the South South region?”
“The church should not be seen to be promoting tribal and personal interest.”
“And we are imploring the General Overseer to come out publicly if he has nothing to do with it to distance himself from the directive being dished by pastors to members of the church to vote for a Muslim presidential candidate and caution his Pastors over the matter.”
“We are not bothered if Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo is contesting to support a core Muslim from the North, he has made his choice, but innocent Nigerians must not be forced to vote for a Muslim presidential candidate. They should be encouraged to make their own choice.”
“RCCG must separate itself from politics in order to continue to enjoy the trust, respect and confidence of the people, especially its teeming members. ”
“Just only yesterday (Monday), the President escaped death in Gombe State where he has gone for a campaign rally.”
“Bombs went off in the venue of the rally, few minutes after the departure of the President and yet pastors of a reputable church like RCCG are instructing members to vote for Buhari from the North.”
“The President has experienced series of attacks from the North since he commenced his presidential campaign and we are tempted to ask if Christians are now supporting the war from Muslims in the North against President Jonathan. ”
“We need to know too if the General Overseer of RCCG was spoken to by God before he allowed Prof. Osibanjo to be a running mate to the APC Presidential candidate, General Buhari.”
“Because we do know that members of RCCG have total confidence in their General Overseer, Pastor Adeboye is one man seen by many like Abraham in the Bible.”
“So we want to implore the General Overseer that this respect and confidence he has enjoyed over the years and the grace of God upon him should not be abused.”
“We need to know from him if God made a special revelation to him about this journey his Provincial Senior Pastor, Prof.Osinbanjo, has embarked upon with a Muslim.”
“We urge the General Overseer to speak out now for the whole world to hear.”