BY AUGUSTINE AVWODE
Christians have been told to develop interest and participate actively in politics in order to have a say in what happens around them.
The Convener of the Delta State Christian Political Leaders Forum, CPLF, Funkekeme Solomon, gave the advice in Asaba at the unveiling of the Church-to-Church Voter Sensitization Programme organized for members of the group from the 25 local government areas of the state.
He said that the Biblical injunction which says when the righteous are in authority the people rejoice refers to Christians and urged them to obey the clarion call and participate actively in politics to make life better for the citizenry.
Funkekeme, a former Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, and until recent, Political Adviser to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, said the only way to be in authority was to participate in politics, not just as a voter but as a contestant, to be able to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
He noted that leaving politics for unbelievers had earned it the title ‘dirty game’ because of the fetish tendencies and violence associated with it, and emphasized the need for Christians to get involved and change the narrative.
The CPLF Convener said the fear of God was a sure way to success in any venture, including politics, attributing the giant development strides of the Okowa administration to his usual character of putting God first in governance of the state.
Funkekeme, who pointed out that the group had resolved to support the Okowa administration with prayers to ensure it finished strong, commended the national coordinator of the Forum, Evangelist Emeke Egwuanimkwu and the officials for their effort in putting the programme together and urged them to remain committed to achieving set goals.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Delta State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Senior Apostle Sylvanus Okorote, commended the CPLF Convener for seeking to add Christian value to politics, saying that he was convinced the group would achieve its set objectives.
Also speaking, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Michael Udoh Tom, represented by Mba Onuoha, harped on the need for every eligible voter to register and obtain the Permanent Voter’s Card to be able to participate in the electoral process of installing good leaders that would bring about the desired change in government.
The National Coordinator of CPLF and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Political Matters, Emeke Egwuanimkwu, said the non-denominational Christian body was committed to making the desired impact in the political space and encouraged members of the Forum to seek elective positions to be able to add value to the system.
The event featured the inauguration of the LGA executives of the group and prayer sessions.
