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By Akanji Alowolodu. Bauchi
There has been a renewed call for Christians in the country to fully and actively participate in politics especially as political activities leading to the 2023 General elections are gradually picking up.
The renewed call was part of the resolutions passed at end of the 109th Convention-In-Session of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) held recently at the Baptist International Convention Center (BICC), KM 54, Lagos -Ibadan Expressway , Lufuwape. The resolution made available to Journalists contained that, “We observed that the 2023 general elections are fast approaching and stage is set for choosing political leaders from the grassroots to the national levels in our country through political primaries and consensus”.
It further contained that, “With concomitant apathy and ignorance among Christians toward participation in politics and political activities, on such grounds that politics is a dirty game, it is a derogation to Christian faith and other previous discouragement on participation in politics by our church leaders”.
“We carefully observed our experience in the past, which has shown that we are being shortchanged in the scheme of things on the account of lack of interest in political activities in the country and thereby give the ungodly people the opportunity to rule us to our disadvantages”, the NBC lamented. It therefore resolved that it is the right of every citizen, including Christians to vote and be voted for and therefore must show interest and participate fully in partisan politics from the grassroots up to the national levels in order to eradicate bad leadership which has bedeviled our nation and body polity.
The Convention in Session further resolved that every Christian of voting age should obtain Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) and vote for God-fearing candidates during the ensuing elections in the country.
Also that any Christian who participates in partisan politics should uphold Christian ethics and values in all their engagements.
The NBC further resolved that, “our local Churches should organize and constantly educate their members to refrain from electoral violence and malpractices before, during and after elections” .
On the Covic-19 experience, the NBC observed that due to Covid-19 experience, most of its church members are withdrawing from physical participation in Church Fellowship and activities as against the biblical injunction in Hebrews 10: 25a, which says “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,” (NKJV) and thereby breaking down the bond of fellowship. it therefore resolved that Baptists should place premium on physical gathering over virtual fellowship in obedience to Biblical injunction.
