CPG Seeks More Christians Inclusion In Politics, Hails Tinubu’s Mid-Term Performance On Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Council Autonomy
A group, The Centre for Politics and Governance (CPG), has canvassed inclusion of Christians in politics.
The group, which is the political arm of the Renewed Ministers for Christ (RMC), also appluaded President Bola Tinubu’s midterm assessment on Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and local government autonomy, which according to the group will enhance governance at the third tier of government.
The group’s National Secretary, Bishop Dr. Theophilus Taiwo Ajose said the RMC is a formidable spiritual, national, political, and representative voice of the Charismatic, Pentecostal, and Apostolic movement of the Body of Christ in Nigeria and Diaspora.
Speaking to journalists in Lagos, the President of the Christian-based advocacy group, Bishop Stephen Ogedengbe, assessed the performance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration at its midterm mark and raised concerns about religious imbalance in political representation at the local government level.
He said: “Our mandate for this season is to operate with Prov. 29:2.
“We have the mandate to make sure that the righteous always mount to the position of power, and it cannot come with derision, we have to work for it, we have to pray for it and we have to put action into it.
“Ladies and gentlemen and members of the press on behalf of the Centre for politics and governance (CPG), I welcome you to this very special occasion and also to the assessment of Mr. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, since this is his midterm session, and also to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“We want to thank God for the stability and progress of our democracy. Democracy since 1999 has been standing in our nation and we have cause to give glory to God because there has been no military intervention, we know what has been happening with some other West African countries.
“As an organization committed to good governance and Christian integration in politics, we monitored the administration’s performance and specifically we are concerned about the recent primary elections in Lagos state where Christians were grossly marginalized as party candidates among various political parties.
“As a matter of fact, I doubt if we have up to 10-20% of Christian candidates leading 57 local governments in Lagos state, we may not have up to 30/40 percent of vice chairmen also Christians. We are concerned about this, as this development brings about questions about representation and fairness in our democratic process. This is a big concern.
“We therefore urge political parties ensure equitable representation, and opportunity for all Nigerians regardless of their religious affiliations. We are not saying, we should have 80/90 percent, we are only saying there should be balance, so that equity brings justice and peace. So we are praying that before the election, if there’s anything that should be done, we want it to be done.
“Our assessment aims to promote constructive dialogue, accountability and inclusion in governance and that makes sure to appreciate the President’s commitment to democracy and look forward to better engagement so that together we can build a bright future for Nigeria.
“We also want the governor to consider the issue as conduction of the local government election is the responsibility of the state. So the state should look at our concern as we have a lot of representation as Christians who were not entertained or given opportunities. So we want to dialogue and look at it constructively, and we want peace to reign in Lagos state, but we are very concerned that we are not well represented.
He also commended President Tinubu saying, “On that note, we want to appreciate Mr. President for all his efforts, particularly the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, because when the project is completed you can travel across 17 states in the south by road between 5-6 hours, we are praying that in our lifetime this project will be a success.
“We want to commend Mr. President for this bold step of action, and for the other efforts that he is making particularly the local government autonomy, because now local governments have the opportunity to develop their local government.
“Another landmark of Mr. President is the efforts in security, because he has said that soon Nigerians will be recruited for the Nigerian Forest Guard and I want to encourage Christian brothers and sisters to not shy away from this opportunity so that we can protect our country.
In response to a question on what the organisation is doing to galvanise support and curb voter apathy, he said, “If you have Christian representation less than 10 percent, on the day of election many of them will be in their bedrooms, so that’s strong voter apathy and it’s a sign of rejection.
“So to avoid voter apathy, that’s why we said the body of Christ and other organizations that have the coloration of the body of Christ should come together on this matter irrespective of their denomination.”
Bishop Ajose also added that, “We have CPG in all the local governments and so we are mobilizing them, and we are also encouraging Christians to join political parties, become members and take part in what they are doing, because you can’t be a candidate if you are not a member.”
