Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese, has asked Nigerians not to be involved in vote buying and selling as the country approaches general elections.
The catholic priest in his new year message released on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, said Nigerians must use all legitimate opportunities to snatch Nigeria back threshold of total chaos.
“So, I see that Nigeria will make it, once the citizens decide live by the truth. Let us resolve firmly not to buy or sell our votes. It is a crime before the State and a sin before God to buy or sell votes. Vote according to your conscience and experience,” Badejo said.
“We have another opportunity especially through the general elections to truthfully and courageously choose leaders who will pursue our common good and not their selfish dreams.”
“So, secure your PVC and vote your own choice. We must produce leaders with integrity and a good track record, who follow not the logic of the survival of the fittest, but the survival of the weakest, therefore, a nation where truth and justice will reign.”
He urged Nigerians to change their ways, noting that God will not change the country until the people change.
“If we do not change our ways, then nothing is new in the year. We simply cannot continue with a country where crime is tolerated or even rewarded and valour and virtue are punished.”
According to him, Nigerians should not substitute prayer and religion for the opportunity to take Nigeria back from the grip of corruption, selfishness, criminality, and other evil practices.
“We must work and pray at the same time. After celebrating Christmas so prayerfully it would really amount to unbelief to doubt that if we do our best, God will ensure Nigeria’s recovery.”
Reverend Badejo added that Nigerians should beware of prophets of doom, saying “I ask Nigerians to shun prophets of doom who around this time annually come up with hackneyed, visions and messages of doom. Better to listen more to Jesus who says: “Do not be afraid, I am with you”, “I am the way the truth and the life.”
He called on the Nigerian Government to follow the Ghana example by banning fake prophets who are everywhere in the country.
“In nearby Ghana, security agencies have reportedly cautioned prophets of doom to desist from their trade this year. What a shame for security to be more disposed to giving hope than “men of God” are! Given that many Ghanaian prophets and pastors learnt from Nigerian “masters,” maybe Nigeria should borrow a leaf from the Ghanaian authorities really. What use is prophetic declarations that do not eventually bring people nearer to God?”
