Trials of brother Yemi Osi(n)bajo

The choice of the title of this piece is deliberate. I will explain. I know the subject of discourse is a professor, a pastor and also a lawyer. I shied away from using any of these prefixes because I want to get to some brotherly discussion. 

The word brother is very strong and carries more weight than any other title in the Christian community. The great apostle Paul was addressed as Brother Paul. The use of that term meant a lot to the early apostles that Paul instructed that any Christian found doing some ungodly things should not be called a brother.

We must also appreciate that we are in an age where people have turned the pastor title to a mercenary instrument. It is more of a meal ticket for some people while a great number use the title to get undue advantage. I hope Professor Osibajo or Osinbajo will understand my preference for the title brother. It is sincerely a compliment.

I also appreciate that his surname seems to be a subject of controversy. I followed a piece published in TheCable, an online publication where the author said emphatically that his correct name is Osinbajo and goes on to explain the meaning of the name.  I got stuck to that until a friend who said he had some personal encounter with him corrected me. He said the professor had sent his PA to personally instruct him that his name is Osibajo and not Osinbajo.

Whether Osinbanjo or Osibajo, let’s get going. Before his appointment as the running mate of General Mohammadu Buhari I was one of those who waited with baited breadth for the choice of the All Progressive Congress. It was clear that if the APC did not pick a Christian running mate the game would have long been decided.

I knew the choice of Buhari’s running mate will go a long way to determine the acceptance of the candidacy of Buhari. And so, they got it right. The coming of Osi(n)bajo shored up the acceptance of the APC.

Many Christians who had vowed not to have anything to do with the candidacy of Buhari are beginning to make a U turn. The change of gear was quite dramatic. And this perhaps has buoyed the APC and makes it believe it will make a good showing at the polls.

Whether they will win the elections or not may not be easy to determine but the fact remains that this fourth attempt on the part of Buhari will go a long way in making a statement on the political landscape of Nigeria.

The outpouring of emotion from both political divide is frightening. Supports for both GMB and GEJ are getting too personal. In many instances their supporters jettison reason and would rather go for the jugular of anybody who does not buy their views.

Beyond these arithmetic however, Osi(n)bajo may well have to contend with a lot of issues and forces in the next three months. The fact that he is a pastor has placed him before the firing squad. He is being watched closely and people are beginning to read meaning to all of his moves.

People want to hear him talk and they want to examine his utterances. Will he use foul language as is common on the political turf? Will he go the bolekaja way in the course of his campaign? How Christianly or pastorly will he be?

It is indeed difficult for people to decipher between his role as a pastor and a politician. Unfortunately he is getting into the game newly. There are many things he has to learn and unlearn. The pulpit is different from the political podium. The language used by pastors is different from the language used by politicians.

The relationship and the fellowship of people will be different. He is sure going to face the dilemma of balancing his Christian faith with the rough political terrain and some ‘unholy’ alliances.

People are beginning to wonder: How will Osi(n)bajo cope with his congregation? Is he still the pastor of Olive Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God? By being a pastor and also a politician with bias for a particular party how will he carry his congregation along especially those who are fans of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.  I think it is just normal for him to leave the pulpit for now, face his new found calling and save his congregation a sharp divide.

Because, whether we like it or not, there are people in that same parish who will not toe the APC line. There are people who are strong GEJ supporters. How will Osi(n)bajo cope with this fresh challenge?

As a news man and somebody with penchant for church-related stuff, I’m eager for a one-on-one with professor. And I look forward to answers to the many questions that are hanging. But the truth must be told, the task before the pastor lawyer is not only daunting but dicey. It is a task that has put on the line many things including the integrity of the church he belongs.

Indeed this is not the first time a person of his caliber and pedigree will attempt a foray into politics. And that is why I believe that those who love him must make him a special subject of prayer that God will see him through.

In the history of the church in Nigeria, the first national superintendent Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church, Pastor Olusegun Odunaike,  attempted to vie for presidency of the country under the platform of Social Democratic Party. He actually wanted to contest in the primaries of the party but he died in the process of campaign. Gamaliel Onosode a technocrat and a Baptist deacon also made a foray into the political terrain on the platform of All Peoples Party eyeing the presidency but had to give up after his first attempt.

Rev. Chris Okotie had contested several times under Fresh Party. He did not make an inroad. In fact many Christians did not give him any form of support. It is the belief of many that Okotie does not have the carriage that qualifies him for Aso Rock.

In 2007 a pastor of the RCCG Pastor Kole Oluwajana contested in the governorship race in Ondo State under the platform of the Alliance for Democracy. He did not win the elections. In an interview with this writer which has been reposted on www.churchtimesnigeria.org, he said God did not tell him he would win the elections but that he was able to learn valuable lessons while he was involved. He shared stories of how fans wanted to lure him into subscribing to charms and voodoo.

Pastor Tunde Bakare also ran alongside with Buhari in the 2011 elections. Many church leaders did not see reason why Bakare would parley with a Buhari. But with Osi(n)bajo now in the fray there seems to be a new understanding. He seems to be getting the support of some church leaders though some are still skeptical of the whole arrangement.

As it is Osiba(n)bajo is certainly on trial. His faith is on trial. His integrity is on trial. The RCCG has a responsibility to manage the decision of one of its own to contest in the 2015 elections. Whether he wins or not, Nigeria and the church will not remain the same again. It is our prayers that God’s will, will stand at the end of the day.

*Osinaike is the publisher of Church Times Nigeria. He could be reached on 08033336243 or[email protected]