4 Reasons Nigerian Pastors And Churches Are Now More Interested In Politics?

The statement, “Politics is a dirty game” is often used by Pastors and Evangelists some years back just to run away from anything that has to do with political involvement.

In recent times, the dirty game has found its way to the church. Pastors are no longer neutral spectators when it comes to Nigeria politics, they are now actively involved to the extent that Pastors are now even seeking political offices and some politicians are being ordained as official ministers of God. Ehn! Na dem dey rush God.

This is not to say, it’s bad for Pastors to be involved in politics, afterall Christianity covers all areas of life, political engagement inclusive. In the Old Testament, Joseph and Daniel served in civil government, exerting influence to further the flourishing of their nations.

In as much as the church may provide more upright people we need in Nigeria’s political system, it’s important that Nigerians are aware of the likely reasons Nigerian pastors are now actively putting their legs, head and other parts of their body in politics.

Below are reasons we think this is happening:-

1. Expanding The Church And Generate More Funds

What else could make high profiled pastors like,Pastor Chris Okotie of House God International,Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Latter Rain Assemblyto mention but few have intentions of running for presidency if not to further expand their churches?

Yes! the political power combined with spiritual power in Christ can do magic in expanding the church.

More lands to build churches in more profitable locations will be freely allocated and more pastors will be appointed into public offices and more politicians will become regular tithe payers.

At the end of the day, many things will be done in the name of the church but na government money.

2. Fear Of Islamizing Nigeria

After so much conversation with many christian folks, it’s quite laughable that most Christians in Nigeria carry on their head the belief that there are some underground moves by some Muslim Politicians to Islamize Nigeria.

Many Pastors spoke about this in the build up to the last general election and this among other things fuel the decision to pick one of the high ranking pastors at Redeemed Christian Church Of God as running mate to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Is it really practically possible for Nigeria to be Islamized or Christianized? Well, that should be a discussion for another day.

Basically, the church is now more interested in political offices just to make sure any Muslim president don’t come and force Sharia Law on all Nigerians. How is that even possible?

3. Herdsmen And Boko Haram Menace

Since when the Boko Haram started their dreadful acts in Nigeria, many lives have been lost and lots of properties have been destroyed. Every sector of Nigeria’s population have suffered in the hands ofBoko Haram, the young, the old, the Hausas, Igbos, Yorubas, the Christians, the Muslims and many more.

But because the members of the Boko Haram group constitute the few Islam Extremists, the Church are of the belief that Boko Haram deadly acts are more of religious war against the Christian faith. Oh Really?

While the country is still battling with the Menace ofBoko Haram, the Fulani Herdsmen started their own brutal killings. Their latest affected Churches in Plateau State.

When it seems the Government are not doing anything serious to take care of these incessant killings, it is believed that when there is a representative of the Church at the very top seat of Government, there will be more serious measures to end both Boko Haram and Herdsmen attacks once and for all.

4. Less Political Bloodshed

Gone are the days when politics in Nigeria was brutal. Where were the Pastors those days when politicians use assassins to hunt oppositions down?

In those days, it was normal to expect headlines like“SOSO Party Presidential Aspirant Murdered By Unknown Gunmen”.

Back in the days, we didn’t see any Pastor come out to risk their lives to save Nigerians from this political mess. Afterall, they were much aware that Jesus died for us on the cross.

Now that we have less bloodshed in Nigeria’s political scene, men of God are now confident to come out and seek political offices.