The decision of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to contest in the 2023 elections has been a topical issue in the past weeks. Osinbajo, who is a pastor of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has gotten the support of some members of his church. Meanwhile, other members of his church have lambasted him for his decision.
Recently, the Head of Politics and Governance of the church, Pastor Timothy Olaniyan, said that Osinbajo is the right candidate to lead Nigeria. He added that only the current vice president can change the narrative of governance in the country.
However, a youth pastor of the church, Dr. Oche Otorkpa, has criticized Olaniyan, adding that RCCG is a church of all parties. Hence, they should not be conditioned to support one party.
His statement read: “I was saddened when my attention was drawn to the statement credited to the Head of Politics and Governance of the Redeemed Christian Church, RCCG, “Pastor” Timothy Olaniyan. This act reminds me of the tragedy promoted by many of my colleagues in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, who used the RCCG altar to promote Buhari as the only savior of Nigeria because Osinbajo also a Redeemed Pastor, was his running mate…
“While I have nothing personal against Osinbajo and those campaigning for him, our father, the General Overseer has made it clear to everyone that the church is a congregation of all parties and all are his children…
“How can a Redeemed Pastor, saddled with the responsibility of promoting all, insist on a public forum that one person is the only child of God that could change the narrative of governance in Nigeria?
“This is someone who says he wants to consolidate Buhari’s legacies, a legacy characterized by banditry, kidnappings, massive killings, corruption, stealing and diversion of crude oil, unfulfilled promises, and borrowings that are about to throw us into a state of bankruptcy as a nation…
“When it comes to failed promises, nobody beats Osinbajo and Buhari. They promised three million jobs per year, it is almost 8 years, and those who have jobs before they came to power are now jobless…”
The cleric also recounted other failed promises of the Buhari/Osinbajo-led government.
He continued, “Proverbs 12:22 says the LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. When a pastor begins to brand deceptive people as the only ones being capable of changing the narrative of governance in the country, then you know there is a problem.
“While Pastor Olaniyan has the constitutional right to hold a political opinion, he clearly does not understand the sensitive nature of the office he occupies and the diversity of the interest and the people he is meant to manage.
“We therefore humbly call on the church leadership as a matter of urgency to remove ‘Pastor’ Timothy Olaniyan as the Head of Politics and Governance, to enable the unit to discharge its mandate without shamefully taking sides and dancing naked in the market square.”
Pastor Olaniyan, however, has said that his statement was personal and does not represent that of the church.
What do you think of the disparity in opinions in RCCG? Do you think Osinbajo is the right candidate to lead the country? Kindly share your thoughts.
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