It was with great shock that Nigerians watched how their president, governors, ministers and many of those managing the nation’s resources failed to demonstrate a public commitment to the fight against corruption on Sunday in Abuja.
At the service held at the Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, to commemorate the 2012 Democracy Day, nfc observed that the guest preacher, Most Reverend Peter Akinola, in his sermon, challenged Mr. President and his entourage to pray against politicians stealing Nigeria’s wealth but, unfortunately, they went blank.
The congregation, including the President, his wife, Patience, the Governor of Bayelsa, Seriake d*1*ckson and Kaduna, Patrick Yakowa, Deputy Governor of Nasarawa state, Dameshi Luka, as well as ministers failed to respond to prayers to take corrupt officials “to the court of God.”
Apparently, expecting to hear a thunderous YES from the congregation, the Reverend, who instead got a deafening silence, exclaimed: “There you go! Oh, corruption! So, you are not ready to fight it, because you are all beneficiaries of it. Whether you steal in a small or big way, stealing is stealing.”
Apparently disappointed with the response he got, the clergyman shot angrily at President Jonathan and his delegation, “See, it is very clear. You are not interested in fighting corruption. If you do, let us take our case to the court of God, if you dare. Who is deceiving who? You are only deceiving yourselves, not God. And you who is stealing government funds, subjecting the poor to untold hardship; you who steal oil subsidy money, making Nigerians pay for fuel through their noses; you who steal funds meant for improving our power supply, deliberately making Nigerians live a life in utter darkness, will you repent today? I doubt it!”
Before throwing the challenge at the president and other officials at the Service, Mr. Akinola had delivered a homily on the destructive impact of corruption on Nigeria. “This hydra headed monster (corruption) has literarily taken over the soul and eaten up the fabric of Nigeria,” Reverend Akinola said.
“Officials steal our public funds openly by the pen… Many of those fighting it (corruption) in police and Judiciary have no clean hands. When any National Assembly Committee or any government agency is inviting anybody for questioning it is because those being investigated have not yet given the agency inviting it their due share of the booty.
“Worse still, those who have cleverly made away with public funds and are living above their legitimate incomes are those who are being honoured by traditional rulers, who make them chiefs and high chiefs. Recently, our universities have joined the queue by inviting those people and giving them some baseless honorary doctorate degrees. Sadly, therefore, corruption will continue in full gear, because Nigerians and the government only pay lip service to its eradication. But, I believed as a Christian, as a preacher, as one who reads the Bible, there a way out.”
He continued, “Corruption in a narrow sense is another name for stealing. Stealing is a sin God commands us all not to commit. As you know every soul that sins and fails to repent shall die in his sin and end up in hell. So, let us resolve here today to take to the court of God, beginning from this place, all those thieves, who have failed to repent. Will you join me?…
“It is true that ICPC, EFCC, the Police, judiciary may not catch you stealing. But believe me, the all-seeing, all-knowing, all-wise and the almighty God sees you very clearly. But, He is patiently waiting for you to return to the path of sanity and righteousness.”
Surprisingly, President Jonathan, in his speech, did not react to any of the issues raised by the preacher, who had also proffered a proposal for a new Nigeria.
Sorry Nigerians, corruption is in-charge!
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