Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
As the 2023 general elections draw closer, Nigerians have been cautioned to avoid the mistakes they made in 2015 and 2019 to save the country from total collapse.
The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made the call at Saint Barnabas Anglican Church, Sagbama, during the second session of the fifth synod of the Western Izon Diocese of the Anglican Communion.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, in a statement issued at the weekend by his media aide, Mr Doubara Atasi, warned that failure to vote wisely in the upcoming general elections would spell greater doom in every sphere of national life
The Deputy Governor said instead of wasting time engaging in unnecessary debates, churches should sensitize their members to vote for the party that will promote the growth and development of Christianity as well as the unity, security and economic wellbeing of the country.
He insisted that repeating the mistakes of the past was tantamount to madness caused by the proverbial dog biting the same person a second time.
The Deputy Governor cautioned Christians against what he called “sleeping on duty”, and charged the body of Christ in the country to wake up from its slumber and begin to interrogate issues in such a way that will promote the common good.
Making reference to the fate that befell the Church in Turkey, he said Christians in Nigeria could not afford to remain docile in the face of current realities but rather, take action in doing the right things it is called out for in society.
His words, “I am not here to campaign, but the truth is that the mistakes we did in 2015 and 2019, if we make those mistakes again, then we are going to behave like a man whom a dog bit twice.
“When a dog bites you once, that dog must be mad; but if the same dog bites you s second time, then probably it is you that is mad because you should have taken caution.
“I believe that caution is the senior brother to carefulness. We must be careful as we vote again in 2023, if not we will throw this country into greater doom and suffering. I am saying this because ‘a stitch in time, saves nine.”
Senator Ewhrudjakpo also re-echoed his concern that the undiluted gospel of Christ was being pushed aside with “contemporary teachings” that lay less emphasis on holiness, righteousness and discipleship.
The Deputy Governor, who congratulated the Anglican Diocese of Western Izon for a successful synod,, encouraged the Church in Nigeria to learn from her mistakes and correct them before it was too late.
He said: “The essence of a synod is for us to reflect on and know where we were yesterday, where we are today, and where we are going to be tomorrow. It is not a ritual, but it is an obligation.
“The bishop’s charge is very clear. He has told us what it is going to look like. Within the charge, there are issues that are political; religious, moral, and also issues that are social.
“The gospel is almost pushed aside with contemporary teachings, but let’s stick to the traditional message of the church.
“We must learn from our mistakes as a church. Turkey today is an Islamic country, but all of us know that Turkey was not an Islamic country before. What brought about this? They made mistakes.
“Are we sure we are not making the same mistakes? Are we not sleeping on our duty as Christians? Let the church interrogate itself. The church is too docile and distracted.”
In his Charge, the Bishop of Diocese of Western Izon, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Right Reverend Victor Ebipade Okporu, underscored the need for both the church and the nation to seek divine help from the Almighty God for a positive turnaround in the country.
Quoting from Psalm 121, Rev. Okporu pointed out that the church and humanity need spiritual help to overcome sin and the power of the enemy; as well as grace for healing, good governance and success in every aspect of life.
The Bishop decried the worrisome state of the nation, citing the issues of insecurity, failing economy, rising public debts, and decadence in the education sector, maintained that it was time the church came together in unity to seek God’s face for the country.
The Synod of the Western Izon Diocese, with the theme: “Help From God”, had in attendance several men of God including the Archbishop of Bendel Province, The Most Reverend Cyril Odutemu and the Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Izon, Right Rev. Funkuro Amgbare.
