Political prophesies

The Vice President said there was a prophesy that he would become the Vice President of Nigeria some years ago. Apparently, our amiable Vice President wasn’t even a card carrying member of any political party then. Wow! For the pastor who gave that prophecy, this article is not for you. Though, one of my very stupid friends told me that it wasn’t God that made Professor Osinbanjo Vice President – that it was Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (the Jagaban). Can you see the kind of unbelievers I have as friends. LOL.  In this article, I will look at some political prophesies given by some clergy. Religion and politics have always been like Siamese twins. So, if you talk of politics, you can also talk of religion without abusing anybody.

At this juncture, I would like to make it clear that I am a firm believer in the admonition – thou shall not judge. Thus, this article is more of an observation rather than a judgement. Also, I strongly believe that there could be some true prophesies from some genuine men of God. I am sure some of you have seen some prophesies come true in your lives.

I am sure after the elections some politicians would not want to see some pastors anymore. This is because some might have given them false prophesies or might have worked against them. Did you read Abati’s piece on Fr Ejike Mbaka. It is obvious that Dr Reuben Abati is still licking his wounds. LOL. Speaking of Fr Mbaka, I do not see why he should not be allowed to say what he feels provided he issues a caveat that the opinions he expresses are entirely his and not that of the Catholic Church. After reading his new year prophesies, I knew he was going to have problems with his masters. Fr Mbaka is not alone in making political and strong statements. The other day, Most Rev. Professor Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, Catholic Bishop of Nsukka, implied that the Igbo man’s republican spirit is still being suppressed in modern day Nigeria, many years after the Civil War. Though a lot of Igbo people share this view, this is definitely not the view of the Catholic Church. I want to believe Mbaka’s ordeal is not a punishment because I have not heard of any law banning Priests from making political statements. I know for sure that Jehovah’s witnesses refrain from making political statements. Personally, I have tremendous respect for Fr Mbaka and Bishop Onah.

Now, let us get back to the main issue. The last presidential election was keenly contested and at some point I wasn’t too sure how it would go. You know what I did? I started googling prophesies about the results of the presidential elections. I couldn’t rely on commentaries from informed commentators anymore. They were too confusing! Now, take a look at some of the prophesies.

One pastor prophesied that Jonathan would win but would not govern. This prophesy was a masterstroke. You know why? The former President was a strong believer, and if he read such prophesy in the papers, chances are that he would put a call across to the pastor. I will do the same as well. I will not only call the pastor, I might also worship in his church. If a president worships in your church there will always be offering time, don’t you think so? And if he asks you to explain such prophesy, you might as well tell him that his enemies are after him. That should scare anyone, considering the society we live in. There are lots of evil people around. LOL. I mean that your neighbor that didn’t congratulate you after seeing your brand new car might be evil, don’t you think so. LOL. It doesn’t matter if your neighbor has lived and studied in England, where people mind their businesses. Can you see how this prediction can increase your bank account?

Another pastor prophesied that Buhari would win but that he wasn’t the messiah. Personally, with my scanty knowledge of the scriptures, I thought the messiah had already come – in the person of our lord and savior Jesus Christ. But you know what? This was a very intelligent pastor. His prophesy would surely get the APC and PDP looking for him. Wow, I envy that pastor! One camp might want him to tone down his prophesy and another camp might want him to scream his prophesies on the roof tops. What an entrepreneurial pastor!

One pastor said he didn’t want to reveal what he heard from God. In fact, he said he was scared to say what God told him. Such scary pronunciation would surely get some patriots worried. And this was exactly what the pastor wanted! When the pastor finally spoke he said he didn’t see any winners in the elections. Some lily-livered Nigerians actually thought that the prediction that Nigeria would break up in 2015 was about coming true. LOL.

Before I forget, I know some of you might say God can say something today and change his mind tomorrow. Thus, if a pastor says you would win an election and you don’t win, it might be because of your sins or the intensified prayers from your opponents. Well, as much as this sounds funny, I don’t believe it. God will always tell you the truth and when he changes his mind he would also tell you.

Like I said earlier, I strongly believe that there are some genuine men of God. Remember during the elections, Professor Osinbanjo was asked if he heard from God before deciding to be Buhari’s running mate. He said he heard and he wouldn’t want to share it with anyone yet. From the way things have turned out, I believe the Vice President is serving a living God and worshipping in a living church.

But I have a little problem with the Vice President’s candidature. Last year, a very vocal and activist governor from his political party said no real man of God can be a politician in Nigeria. He said this while responding to one of his archrivals, who incidentally was a pastor. I heard it loud and clear on TV. So, Professor Osinbanjo should address this and correct this dogma.

There are other things some pastors do apart from giving fake prophesies. The other day, I met a woman whose pastor wouldn’t allow to go to the hospital because he was praying for her. And off course, collecting money for candles from her. Sadly, her kidneys had already packed up before she was rushed to the hospital. I believe in divine healing but not in deception. I will address issues concerning these kind of pastors in subsequent articles.

Seriously speaking, if some of our pastors don’t change their ways, they might not be able to play the role of watchdogs in our politics. I strongly believe that the job of the clergy is to speak truth to power. God has positioned them to do this. If you have not read Cardinal Olubumi Okojie’s open letter to our amiable President, please do.

Dr Nwankwo lives in Benin City