Christians risk bad governance by shunning politics – C&S cleric

Adeola Adelaja, Olusegun Adelaja, Marian Talabi, Matthew Ayoola and Elijah Aborode

The spiritual leader of Cherubim and Seraphim, Ona Iwa Mimo Oke Ayo, Marian Talabi, has warned that Christians risk being subjected to bad governance if they continue to shy away from politics.

She urged Christians to participate actively in politics, saying believers must not leave the country’s governance in the hands of people whose values may conflict with Christian principles.

She made the call at a press briefing held in Lagos on Monday in commemoration of the church’s 50th anniversary.

The church leader also stressed the importance of having genuine Christians in government at the grassroots, state and federal levels.

According to her, Christians who refused to participate in politics would have little moral basis to complain when those they disagreed with made decisions that affected them.

She said, “Christians must be involved in politics because if you don’t get yourself involved in politics, you find non-believers beating your heads.

“And by the time they give you rules and commands, you have to follow them, whether it is suitable for you or not.

“But when we have Christians, genuine Christians, in government, they will look to what God has to do for His people. Not commercials, not money.”

She also cited the biblical principle of righteousness in stressing the need for Christians to participate in governance.

Talabi further urged Nigerian youths to take up leadership responsibilities, noting that the late founder of the church, Maria Ogunyooye, had always believed in preparing young people to take over leadership.

She said Ogunyooye, while alive, emphasised the need for a succession plan, adding that the younger generation should not only be regarded as future leaders but should also be empowered to lead in the present.

“Our youth are future leaders. They are leaders of tomorrow. But before her demise, she believed that the youths are the leaders of today,” she added.

Speaking on the history of the church, its chairman, Segun Adelaja, recalled that the late founder established the ministry in 1976, making the ongoing celebration its 50th anniversary.

He said, “Mummy started here in 1976. So, 10 years ago, she celebrated a 70-year calling as a prophetess and celebrated 40 years of founding this place. So, 10 years later, we are celebrating the golden jubilee.”

The Local Organising Chairman, Justice Adeola Adelaja, said the 50th anniversary of the church marked five decades of its continued growth after the death of its founder.

She also disclosed that the church was pursuing projects initiated by the late founder, including a clinic and a proposed auditorium.

According to her, the clinic building is ready for unveiling, but about N40m is required to equip it and make it functional.

She added that the church was also planning to construct a large auditorium estimated at N5bn to accommodate its growing activities.

“The anniversary activities include an anniversary lecture, a gala and awards night, a medal rally, a prophetic programme and the main anniversary celebration. The celebration would also honour the church’s past leaders and members while projecting its vision for the next phase of its development,” she added.

Also present at the briefing were the Secretary-General of C&S Ona-Iwa Mimo Worldwide, Elijah Aborode; Chairman of the conference, Gen. Apostle Mathew Ayoola; and members of the church.