…enlist cleric as partner
In total solidarity with their members, the Christian Youths in Politics CYP has publicly thrown their weight behind the New Nigerians People’s Party (NNPP) gubernatorial candidate in Ogun state Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, as they sensitize Christian’s on the need to vote for their own in the fast approaching general election.
The CYP in their vote canvassing move started two weeks ago, visited the clerics in charge of churches and their members stressing the need for Christians not to sit on the fence any longer claiming politics is a dirty game but to join the fray and be counted.
Leading the CYP delegation on tour of various churches in the three senatorial districts of Ogun state, not minding their denominations, is a foremost member of CYP’s Board of Trustees Ambassador Princess Kolawole.
Princess Kolawole harped on the need for Christians to actively participate in politics, in order to change the narrative and salvage the situation where people void of good character take on the reins of power to the detriment Christians.
She urged the clerics to partner with the body in order to correct the cited societal anomaly, already taking its toll on Christendom.
Adding that a quick scan around Ogun state polity will reveal the imbalance in the power equation, as those making the political decisions in virtually all arms of governments are people from the other faith.
She counsel further that Oguntoyinbo remains a brand for the Christian fold to own and ensure his emergence as the next governor of the state in the coming election,branded bags and aprons showcasing the NNPP guber candidate- Ambassador Ajadi Oguntoyinbo were given to members of the Christian community wherever the CYP team visited.
The Ogun East Senatorial District coordinating Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Apostle Afolarin Adedipe who could not hide his love for the CYP concept, wholeheartedly received the delegation while making many more suggestion on the way forward for the organisation.
He shared CYP’s viewpoint on the need for Christians to buckle up and team up to take their pride of place in the society, particularly in governance.
The cleric recounted many untoward development in the polity brought about by Christians none involvement in politics, which according to is clearly defective and counterproductive.
“Christian are deceiving themselves sitting back doing nothing, the Muslim are more organized politically speaking and that is visible in how they hold on to political power, they are far sighted in that wise.
“We Christians are very gullible so our leaders manipulate us. At some point we mandated PVC collection here with operation show your PVC before entering into the Church for service.
With that 20 percent were registered as against 80 percent in other faith what can that amount to?
I urge Christians to align with this vision we need to participate in politics to sanitize the space, if a lot of us can come into it, it will speak well as a lot of mind sets need to be shifted to doing the right thing.” Said Apostle Adedipe.
Another cleric Venerable Oluwole Oduyebo who is the Provost of the African Church Ijebu Ode Cathedral expressed high commendation for CYP’s initiative, stating unequivocally that it is time for Christians to take a bold step and do things right in the polity.
Prophet Joseph Adekoyeni the Shepherd Celestial Church of Christ Temitope Model Parish Ijebu Igbo, who was inducted right in his church as a CYP member with the organisation branded blue and white colour t-shirt and cap touched on the need for youths to invest their time in participatory politics.
The young and vibrant cleric stated his resolve to help extend the CYP frontiers in and around Ogun state, noting that the initiative is apt and well focused in the redirection of the mind sets of youths and majorly Christians on a very right and expedient turf.