Bishop Charles Ighele, General Superintendent of Holy Spirit Mission in Lagos, addresses the issue of the Church’s stance on President Bola Tinubu and the Muslim-Muslim ticket during the February presidential election. He emphasizes that the Church is not against Tinubu personally but strongly opposes the Muslim-Muslim ticket choice of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the campaign.
The bishop clarifies that while some pastors may have made predictions about Tinubu, they do not represent the views of the mainstream Christian groups like the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) or the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). He also points out that political behavior in Nigeria is often influenced by local factors rather than national interests.
Regarding the insinuation that Tinubu may Islamize Nigeria, Bishop Ighele dismisses it as a wicked notion. He highlights that Tinubu’s actions, such as having Christian governors in Lagos, demonstrate inclusivity and religious tolerance.
In terms of Christian support for President Tinubu’s administration, the bishop asserts that the mainstream church, represented by CAN and PFN, will cooperate with him in building a better Nigeria as long as his policies do not antagonize the Church.
Bishop Ighele also shares his views on President Tinubu’s appointments, praising the strategic inclusion of an Igbo man and a Christian minority tribe representative in the military positions.
The bishop further discusses the challenges the administration may face, such as the rising cost of living and unemployment issues, and urges the government to prioritize the welfare of the masses.
In conclusion, Bishop Ighele refutes the idea that CAN and PFN should be ashamed of their support for Peter Obi in the past election, asserting that he, as a man of God, maintains neutrality in politics and doesn’t accept any form of campaign support from politicians.