Cleric lauds Buhari on 2023 polls

***Urges losers to seek redress in court

By Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

President Muhammadu Buhari has been commended for his stance and resolve to leave behind a legacy that would produce a system of conducting election that is not only adjudged as free and fair, but also transparent and credible.

The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Kwara, Rt. Rev. Sunday Timothy Adewole, gave the commendation over the weekend in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, while delivering the Bishop’s Charge at the opening session of the 17th Synod of the Diocese.

Rt. Rev. Adewole, who is also the Chairman of the Kwara state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), said though the country may not seem to have attained that level of electoral perfection yet, it must be acknowledged that the foundation for that had certainly been laid by Buhari, adding that whoever feels aggrieved about the outcomes of the elections should seek redress in the law court rather than heating up the polity with inflammable comments.

He said: “As we look forward to what is next after the election, I will strongly appeal to the camps of those political parties that may feel cheated by the results of the elections to seek redress within the ambit of the constitutional provision. Let everyone or group of individuals desist from making comments that may incite violence or jeopardise our democracy in any way. Let us ensure we promote peace by all means, especially through our speech and conduct.”

Lamenting the excruciating hardships and sufferings Nigerians are currently passing through, the cleric admonished President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that the people are relieved from their pain and sufferings when he assumes office on May 29, 2023 as compensation to them for voting massively for him.

He said: “I admonish you to make policies that will put smiles on the faces of all and give them a guarantee of a better nation. We are gradually seeing it that politics is about social contract between those seeking political offices and the voters. If you take them for granted, you do so at your own peril. However, we will continue to pray for you and your government.”

While congratulating Kwara state Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and his deputy Kayode Alabi on their reelection for a second term in office, Rt. Rev. Adewole enjoined AbdulRazaq to “serve the people over whom God has made you leader, so that when you are no more in office your name will be etched with gold in the hearts of the people”.

“As you gradually settle down for the present term to wind down, cast your focus on fundamental issues of governance to usher you into the second term. God will grant you success and keep you secure in Jesus name,” he admonished.

“Your Excellency, we do not have any reason to doubt your competence, integrity and honesty as our Governor. You have displayed this to us for the past four years, and I strongly believe that they are part of the reasons that made you the people’s choice in the election. You demonstrated equity and fairness that is gradually making the Christian community to repose confidence in your leadership.

“However, there is still more to be done. Another four years in office as governor of this state should be to consolidate what you have started some four years ago. Please respond promptly to state issues that require urgent attention. We are strongly appealing to you as Christians in Kwara state to follow the path of equity and fairness, do not give us the impression that we are second class citizens.”

Speaking on the theme, ‘Who is on the Lord’s side?’, the Bishop lamented the exponential increase in the level of indifference among Christians over the past few years, which he likened to spiritual lukewarmness, adding that Christianity in the countries of the world, especially the western world, is facing the threat of subtle encroachment “by the so called revisionist or the liberal theology”.

He said the situation is becoming more confusing in Nigeria, noting that unprecedented proliferation of churches is being witnessed with little or no impact. “The more Christians, Pastors and church workers we see on the streets of our country, the more decadence and corruption pervading the system of our national life,” the cleric rued, wondering who is truly on the Lord’s side.

End