Bakare, Ideh, Utomi task Christians on 2019

Securing political power involves more than getting your PVC – Bakare

By Nsikan Ikpe

Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Latter Rain Assembly, presidential hopeful, Elishama Ideh, political economist, Professor Pat Utomi and several other leading Christian players in the Nigerian political firmament have tasked Nigerian Christians on the imperative of ensuring that they stand out to be counted in the forthcoming 2019 polls process.

Speaking on Tuesday at a Political Summit convened by the Ikeja Province of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, to mark Democracy Day in Nigeria they argued that it is most critical that Christians add full participation in the affairs of the parties that they identify with, to the current ‘Get your PVC’ clamour.

Adressing the subject, Bakare recounted how he had joined others in establishing the Save Nigeria Group, SNG, and of the succession of initiatives, including the Arrowhead Group, that he had taken since then, revealing that he was presently in the middle of putting in place a new initiative with which to continue to engage the polity in pushing most notably for the restructuring of Nigeria and other higher national ideals.

On his part, Utomi counselled that a lot of attention should be placed on the leadership selection and grooming process even as he drew examples from Singapore, a political clime where he affirmed, leaders are chosen on merit.

In her own remarks, Dr Elishama Ideh counselled voters to insist on double-checking the track record of all contenders for office in 2019, affirming that everyone does indeed have a trail. She also noted that given the currently very parlous state of affairs in the land, particular attention needs to be placed on the possibility of a woman president emerging in 2019 if we are really very serious about a national rebirth.

Ideh, who is rumoured to make a formal declaration of her intent to run for President in the 2019 polls in the next few days, is an accomplished social entrepreneur.

Other speakers at the event included Pastor Esosa Ize-Iyamu and the KOWA Party presidential candidate in the 2015 polls, Prof. Remi Sonaiya.