A senior clergy of the Assemblies of God Church Nigeria, Rev. Dr. D.D.S. Ibulubo has called on Christians to be involved in politics to safeguard the teneth of democracy and betterment of the citizenry for a prosperous nation building as the Nigerian system cannot thrive without believers.
Ibulubo, who is the District Superintendent of Rivers District, Assemblies of God Church, Nigeria made the call while speaking with News Editor of The Newswriter, in his office on the ideals of politics as it affects Nigeria, and the stance of the church on Christmas celebration as well as the successes and challenges of the church in the succeeding years.
The senior pastor who disowned the popular saying that “politics is a dirty game, said in the layman definition, “Politics is the power and process in which the present world is ruled.”
According to the Cleric, as he referenced from the scripture, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn” (KJV) Prov. 29:2. It is high time the genuine believers who know the truth, speak the truth, are trustworthy, do the right thing without compromise take the leadership of the country, state and local governments which must be by politics.
Rev. Ibulubo who was emphatic about the state of the nation maintained that if genuine Christians stay away from politics and those of the world steps into positions of trust with wickedness, the people would still be mourning without a solution, saying when prayers are offered, God did not only answer the prayers but ordered the steps of his people.
He further reasoned that, possibly God may be inviting a genuine Christian into politics to bring about the desired change but on refusal, it then implies that, it is allowing the wicked man to continue in position and the people continue in crying. “To some extent there are some wrong doing in the governance of our society and if someone who knows the truths, speak the truth, is trustworthy, not compromising and desirous of the needed change, one who fears God, whose life is given to Christ and whose dictates is of the Holy Spirit is out to lead, the church must definitely support him and the society will change” Ibululo said.
On the celebration of Christmas, Ibulubo condemned the way and manner in which citizenry celebrates Christmas noting that Christmas is not killing of cows, chickens, eating and drinking, but total submission and humility to the mastership and leadership of Jesus Christ, who came to redeem the people.
Rev. Ibulubo, posited that those celebrating the season of Christmas should have to consider how Jesus should save their life other than the eating and drinking, saying the central message of the season is “salvation” as Christ came into the world to save mankind.
While urging all to be clothed in humility as Christ, he maintained that celebrating the season without knowing the personality of Jesus Christ the Saviour of all, is meaningless.
“The season which demonstrates love and supremacy of God should be a yardstick to measure how many citizens have given their lives to Christ and not about slaughtering all kinds of animals and drinking as there are more to life than such”, Ibulubo stated.
Fielding questions on the successes and challenges of the commission in Rivers District, the man of God returns all glory to God which according to him is the best the church would do because a lot has been achieved within the succeeding year.
He said the commission, Assemblies of God has made tremendous impact in all areas describing the year as a productive one, saying that in the spiritual aspect, both ministers and members have proven the fact that God had visited them, as the growth or numerically strength of the district has eventually showcased that God has added to the church. On infrastructure, the Rev Ibulubo said most of their church buildings have taken the cathedral status as against the previous state, affirming that the programmes at both the local churches, sections and district have been wonderful as testimonies abound everywhere in the district, adding that as God has been merciful and faithful to the AG commission, so He is to other denominations as he prophesied spiritual, repentance boom for the coming year.
Rev. Ibulubo is an holder of Doctorate of Philosophy Degree in Divinity and an astute Crusader of the gospel of Jesus Christ. ###
James Mgboineme
