Oyo State Governor ‘Seyi Makinde has charged the residents of the state to use the 2023 general election to “take back Nigeria and place it on the path of righteousness.”
Makinde asserted that the “February 25 presidential election will be an election like no other.”
The governor said the election would usher in a truly independent Nigeria and admonished the citizens not to vote with sentiments.
In a statement issued yesterday by his chief press secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, the governor urged Christians to take a firm decision in the coming polls in order to take Nigeria back, and shine the light on the supposedly dark corners of politics.
Makinde said with only two weeks to the presidential election, it was time for activism rather than political correctness.
Adisa said the governor spoke at the Comfort Life Mission International aka Olorun Ojiji, Ikoyi, Osun State, during its monthly 7-7 programme.
Makinde said the insinuation that politics is a dirty game and that Christians should abstain from it had been unhelpful, noting that more Christians should participate in politics and governance to lighten the darkness in the world.
He said his administration had in the last four years been giving back to the society and developing the state across the four pillars of the administration.
The governor said the ongoing Ibadan Circular Road project, which is only about five minutes to the Comfort Life Mission headquarters, is one of the many proofs of his administration’s developmental efforts.
He said when completed, the Circular Road would commute travellers from the Ife-Ibadan Road axis to Lagos in one hour and 10 minutes without having to go through the Ibadan city centre.
Governor Makinde, who stated that the successes achieved by the government would not have been possible without the prayers of the people of the state, added that he knew that the prayers of God’s people were fervent and effective from the early period of his administration when he contracted COVID-19.
He told the congregation that he was able to survive the virus despite the scare at that time.
He also expressed confidence that with the prayers and support of Oyo State people, he is assured of victory in the March 11 governorship election, because according to him, he was able to win in 2019 with the support of God the Father, and the people of Oyo State.
He said: “My message to you today is simple. I know we Christians are passive when it comes to our involvement in politics because we believe it is a dirty venture, which is meant only for the dirty, deceitful and ungodly people. Yes, judging from where we are coming from, there could have been darkness but if we are to consider where we are going to, we need light.”
“We need gradual and consistent light to completely overcome the darkness. So, our participation can be likened to the light.
“I had the opportunity several years ago to go to Gboko, Benue State, for a leadership conference with Brother Gbile Akanni. The message of the pastor who preached the last time I attended was similar to this. He said that if Christians don’t participate in politics, we don’t have the right to question them on why they are doing it the wrong way. He gave some examples that validate the fact that irrespective of whatever is going on around us, we should be the light in our environment.
“So, I urge you to leave sentiments apart. In 2015, you voted based on sentiment – you voted for Muslim and a pastor. But I asked them to show me a Christian among those who got the ticket. Even the pastor, who is a Christian, was not allowed to operate. When the president was ill and flown abroad, he (vice president) was in charge for a couple of months and we all felt the difference. Now, the direction we have to go must be devoid of sentiment. We must be practical and ask ourselves what we want about the vessel God wants to use,” he added.
Speaking on how his administration has been working for Oyo State people and has been able to reposition the state in the last 44 months, the governor said: “In Oyo State, I can say that, for me, it has been a journey of giving back to the society. One of the things that I know we are doing, which I also know will become a reality is the Circular Road.
“I am the first governor in the history of Oyo State, who has no godfather but only God the father. Against all odds in 2019, God the father did it and He will do it again. So, I thank you all and please continue to pray for Nigeria so we can have a peaceful general election,” he said.
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