A MASSIVE mobilisation of Nigerians to take a firm stand on the 2011 general elections may have commenced Saturday with a charge to Christians to actively participate in the electoral process towards achieving credible elections.
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor E. Adeboye, at the 58th annual convention of the Church at the Redemption Camp, on Lagos- Ibadan Express way, said it was time to put an end to electoral fraud in the country.
Pastor Adeboye urged Christians at the convention to ensure that they register as voters, cast their votes and defend the votes against any form of manipulation.
The cleric who said that the votes of the Nigerian electorate must count in the 2011 election, urged the people to be prepared to fight anyone that wants to tamper with the outcome of the election.
” The message is very clear. I urge you all to register for the 2011 election, vote during the election and defend your votes.
“From now on, if anyone messes up with our votes, we will fight, Adeboye stated
A thunderous applause by the congregation greeted Pastor Adeboye’s charge, as the renowned preacher maintained that he was speaking the minds of a vast majority of the people.
The cleric also charged the new leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to identify with the collective wishes of Nigerians for free, fair and transparent elections in 2011 and put the country on the list of countries that have conducted successful elections.
He assured the Prof Atthairu Jega-led commission of the church’s support through prayers but added that the church would not tolerate any fraudulent act under any disguise.
” Let the message be sounded loud and clear, INEC we love you, we will pray for you, but if anybody rigs the election, we will fight” Adeboye said.
No fewer than 58 political parties have been registered to participate in the 2011 elections, is the fourth since the country’s return to civil rule in 1999. The 2007 elections were adjudged the worst in the country’s history, by local and international observers, even though the 1999 and 2003 elections were also fraught with massive irregularities and fraudulent acts.
Pastor Adeboye said Nigeria would move forward with a successful conduct of the 2011 election, urging that everything be done to ensure the success of the process.
Among the dignitaries at the service were Rotimi Amaechi, Governor of Rivers State and Mrs. Sarah Adebisi Sosan, Lagos State Deputy Governor. Amaechi who lamented about the poor State of the nation 50 years after independence urged men of God to always lead by example as many people look up to them.
In his annual report at the convention with the theme ‘More Than Conquerors”, Adeboye said that in the last church year, RCCG inaugurated 15 new nations, no fewer than 54 thousand new babies were born and about 6,472 marriages were solemnized.
He also announced that about 250,000 members were baptized and 9,000 ordained for the expansion of the work of God.
During the pre-convention ministers’ conference, four senior pastors were appointed into the church’s Governing Council. They are Pastors Ezekiel Odeyemi, E.O Daramola, J.O Obayemi and G. Lawal. They replaced retiring Pastors M.O Ojo, D.A Ilori, P. Olu Ojo and A.A Aderibigbe.
Seven Special Assistants to the General Overseer who were also Pastors-in-charge of Regions were transferred from their local posts to foreign countries
