In the build-up to the 2015 general election, former President Goodluck Jonathan went “church-hopping”, visiting major congregations and secretly campaigning for votes.
This was disclosed by a former presidential media aide, Femi Adesina, in his long-awaited memoir, ‘Working With Buhari: Reflections of A Special Adviser’.
Adesina served as Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari between 2015 and 2023.
Comprising 433 pages in 30 chapters, Adesina recounted how one Pastor Bosun Emmanuel had recorded and circulated an audio tape branding the APC as ‘Muslim/Jihad party’ and its presidential candidate Buhari as a precursor of the ‘anti-Christ’.
He also recounted how Bishop David Oyedepo and then president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, predicted that Jonathan would win the 2015 election and how in 2018 the former called on his members to “lynch any Fulani” found around their church.
Other preachers mentioned for similar false prophesies and predictions included Pastor Paul Enenche, David Ibieyomie, Primate Elijah Ayodele and Pastor Paul Adefarasin.
However, Adesina acknowledged the roles of Pastor Chris Okotie of the Household of God Church and Pastor WF Kumuyi, General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, whom he described as “remnants of pastors who stayed true to their callings, not joining the mob”.
In a review copy obtained to LEADERSHIP, Adesina said his memoir was mostly about the soft and humane side and other human-interest stories around his principal, inviting those who are adept at economics, fiscal and monetary policy, and other fundamentals of government to write their own accounts.
