The comments made by Pastor Poju Oyemade, the founder of The Covenant Nation (formerly the Covenant Christian Center) and the damaging reactions that followed is certainly another pointer to self-inflicted harm that has unfortunate befallen our so-called men of God.
Poju Oyemade, as we recall made very controversial comments in a social media post recently, which led to a serious backlash, even from his own worshippers and followers on social media.
For indirectly criticizing Nigerian youths for their support for the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, whose candidacy he referred to as poorly planned project, he stooped so low and got the anger of the Nigerian youths.
By suggesting that the Nigeria youths are wasting their enthusiasm “on poorly planned projects” for supporting Peter Obi in the upcoming presidential election, it shows the world how hypocritical this so-called “men of God” have become.
How on earth would a Poju Oyemade even begin to habour a thought as negative and as insensitive as this about Peter Obi, his revered resource person in several editions of The Platform?
How would a Poju Oyemade directly or indirectly discourage the candidacy of Mr Peter Obi whom he has severally dependent on for messages of hope to his congregation and to the nation during The Platform program?
In a social media post, Pastor Poju Oyemade made the following comments:
“Faith is not just blind belief or hoping for a miracle. Faith sees. Faith has her eyes opened and possesses the evidence upon which it builds its belief. Faith prepares long, sometimes for years just as Joseph did for the years of famine. Faith counts the cost before embarking.
“Without having real evidence upon which you are acting nor preparation for the task, recognising real obstacles that lie ahead and making concrete plans, one is just being delusional about the outcome. The enthusiasm of the youth must not be wasted on poorly planned projects.
“Noah spent months/years planning for the flood & he was operating in faith. Jesus said no man goes to battle without taking stock first nor lays the foundation of a tower without counting the cost first lest he will be mocked. Our faith is intelligent it doesn’t live in denial.”
Even as vague as Pastor Poju smartly tried to convey his message, the real import was still not lost to Nigerians.
The youths were able to read in-between the lines and in their response laced with vied of criticisms and anger, they left the pastor no room for deniability of his obvious opposition to Peter Obi`s presidential run.
By opposing Mr Obi, he advertently was rooting for Bola Tinubu or perhaps Atiku Abubakar, but most likely the former for very obvious reasons, none of which is anywhere near the teachings of the Bible which Pastor Poju has preached every day for many years of life.
For God`s sake what is wrong with these “men of God”? Have they not already caused enough troubles for the Nigerian youths already? Especially by how much they contributed to bringing Muhamadu Buhari to power in Nigeria.
Poju Oyomade is one of the so-called pastors who misled Nigerians to carry their own cross to Golgotha, when they followed the leading of their pastors in 2015 to vote in Buhari, all because of the Vice Presidency of Pastor Yemi Osinbajo.
Almost 8 years down the line, and with records of destructions, deaths and suffering, our pastors are still roaming the wilderness like the recalcitrant and ungrateful Israelites.
Do we all have to perish in this wilderness because of our pastor`s hypocrisy? Must we lose an entire generation to the foolishness of a few? Even if we lose this generation, just as the Israelites that left Egypt, how are we guaranteed we are making the way for a new generation that will see the promised land of Canaan?
Is it not a shame that all of a sudden, Poju Oyamade have realized that Peter Obi is unprepared, after having tapped from his wisdom and resources in several editions of his church flagship program, The Platform.
How many times has Oyamade invited Bola Tinubu to speak on The Platform? The answer is ZERO. What about Atiku Abubakar? Another ZERO. Why? Because Oyomade knows the difference between light and darkness.
Yet, he is now using his knowledge of the Bible to mislead the gullible and the docile. Unfortunately for him anyway, the same Nigerian youths he thinks to be STUPID, largely rose up to the occasion, yelling DECEPTION and FRAUD right to his pastoral face.
Peter Obi`s messages are clear and original. They are not political statements from deceptive politicians or misleading sermons from commercial pastors and men who “trade” on the word of God for selfish reasons.
Nigerian youths have had Obi`s messages and the believe him. That is what matters, and the earlier the likes of Pastor Poju Oyemade, Father Ejike Mbaka and their co-travelers understand this, the earlier they may redeem themselves from this conflagration of their own making.
By the way, assuming without conceding that Peter Obi is unprepared, is it not the same Bible Oyamade is quoting from that also teaches us that God qualifies a person who he calls, and uses the less prepared to confound and dumfound the wise?
As our pastors and the clergy continue to dance naked in the public place, may be is time for “deliverance prayers” to come from the members for their pastors and no longer the other way round.
God help us all!
Written by Williams Ukonu Esq, lawyer and rights advocate. He is a Clariform columnist and a regular commentator on national issues. He tweets @WilliamsUkonu and can be reached at [email protected].
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