A group of Young Nigerian Christians has urged Pastor Tunde Bakare of The Citadel Global Community Church (formerly Latter Rain Assembly) to stop using the pulpits to propagate or campaign for his 2023 ambitions.
The Campus Youth Christian Fellowship (CYCF) said the leading Nigerian pastor focus on preaching the word of God on the pulpit rather than preaching politics.
CYCF President, Jonathan Emmanuel said the controversial pastor can also pursue his 2023 presidential ambition without having to unsettle the ongoing democratic process in Nigeria.
Mr Emmanuel noted that it was completely insensitive and immature of Pastor Bakare to ignore the coronavirus pandemic in his sermon on 22 March aired on Channels TV instead dwelling on politics.
“One would have expected that Pastor Bakare would be focusing on social distancing and self-isolation instead of having his church packed with people at a time that the world and Nigeria is dealing with coronavirus pandemic.
The group said as young Christians who look up to Pastor Bakare and other men of God, they expect that they will lead by example.
They said this is not a time for politics, this is a time to have all hands on deck to ensure Nigeria contains the spread of the pandemic.
“We noted how he repeatedly spoke about 2023 and how he will become the 16th President of Nigeria, if it is true that God revealed this to him then he doesn’t have to use the pulpit to advance his interest.
“It is also not in the interest of the present administration and peace of the country that he is talking aggressively about the 2023.
The group said it is worrisome that Pastor Bakare will also choose to resurrect the happenings in the Presidency when everyone has put it behind them.
“Asking the President to address rumours surrounding Vice President Osinbajo on national television is completely unnecessary. This is a matter many have put behind them, why is he unearthing it?
The group said all Nigerians must put politics aside especially leaders in both political and religious space.
“We need to face and tackle the coronavirus pandemic and other matter can be put aside until this is achieved.
The group urged Nigerians to observe the basic precautionary measures such as washing their hands with soap and water, sneezing or coughing in the arm to reduce the chance of getting infected and infecting others with the novel coronavirus and that people should observe social distancing as much as possible.
