2023: Take the righteous from politics, the unrighteous will smear the righteous - Obasanjo

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has urged religious leaders not to take the righteous away from politics, and leave politics to the unrighteous, warning that the unrighteous will smear the righteous with the unrighteousness that they will carry into politics and will have nowhere to go.

Obasanjo spoke when the President, of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), His Eminence, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, visited him at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Penthouse residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

The former President stated that Nigerian politicians could be made more responsible by the country’s religious leaders.

“Now, if we take the righteous away from politics, and we leave politics to the unrighteous, the unrighteous will smear the righteous with the unrighteousness that they will carry into politics and will have nowhere to go.

“If you stand on the truth, you stand for justice and equity, it is then the politicians will not be able to mess us around and I will say it with all sense of responsibility now if we do not watch it, the politicians will wreck this country and we all regret it.

“And where can we look for salvation, that is where you religious leaders have a significant role to play. I think it’s the mistake of the past (particularly in Christendom), that we say politics is not for the righteous.

“And in the next election, if we do not watch it, it may make or break Nigeria. And I pray that it will make Nigeria,” Obasanjo said at the meeting.

He commended the CAN President, saying the Sultan of Sokoto had spoken well of him personally.

“I must say, I am impressed. With you and Sultan (who is already singing your praises) you can both make a turn-around. You can work together,” the former president said.

He further stated that for having both Sultan of Sokoto and the CAN President already on the same page, “maybe our politicians will listen, and if our politicians don’t listen, may be our people will listen.”

Earlier, the CAN President commended Obasanjo for his role in turning around the Christian faith in the country, asserting that he has made valid contributions to Christianity in Nigeria.

According to him, “In 1976, CAN was formed in Baba’s time as Head of State in 1976. Likewise, NIREC was also established in his time as the President in 1999.

“On the political sector, you set up the National Political Reform Conference, which I am privilege to be a delegate, representing the Christian faith. These were the few I could remember as I was planning for this visit.

“Baba, you have played important roles in the political history of Nigeria and Africa, particularly your current role in the Horn of Africa, where the task is to ensure peace in the region. These are no doubt, valid contributions to Christianity.”

On Obasanjo’s task, Okoh hinted that it was among the resolutions reached at the Inter-Religious Council meeting held in Lagos recently.

He said the Council had resolved “not to leave the political space to the politicians, that the religious leaders must get involved, not to be partisan, but, must give leadership to make sure that the values of our religion are brought to the space to help us to live in peace and work for the unity of the nation, including fighting for justice. We are committed to the call Baba made.”

The CAN President said he was excited by the visit, “and I can see it, that it is coming from his heart. He has the passion and definitely, we are not going to take it for granted,” Okoh said in an interview.

On the President’s entourage was the CAN Assistant General Secretary, Apostle Abiodun Sanyaolu, South West Chairman, His Grace, Elder Adeaga, Ogun and Lagos and States CAN Chairmen, Bishop Tunde Akin-Akinsanya (who also represented Bishop Francis Wale Oke) and Bishop Stephen T. Adegbite.

Others were Ven. Emmanuel Alamajo, Ven. Emmanuel Nnana, Ven. Joseph and the Personal Assistant to the CAN President, Dr Victor Ivoke.