CRMPA POLITICAL EDUCATION Series – Part 8: THERE SHOULD BE CONSCIOUS TRAINING OF CHRISTIANS TO APPRECIATE POLITICS AND TO CONTEST FOR POLITICAL POSITIONS

Christians are first citizens of Nigeria before being Christians. To that extent,, every believer has the inalienable right to vote and be voted for. This right is provided for in the 1999 Constitution (as amended). God also expects Christians to vie for political positions (Proverbs 29:2). So, responsible members of the Church that are soundly born-again and have been tested and found trustworthy should be identified by Pastors and exposed to intense spiritual mentoring by fathers in the faith to go into political contests. Unfottunately, this intense mentoring by Church leaders is lacking today but we are usually quick to complain when our so-called Christians who are elected fail to represent the Kingdom while in office. Have we bothered to understand the dynamics of political powers and the weight of its influence on the players that readily sway the political power holders to opt for political correctness in all their decisions?  The Church must commit to mentor and where possible, go a step further to assist Christian candidates financially for political business.  For candidates mentored to vie for presidential position, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in conjunction with other blocs in the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) may consider to associate and set up crowd funding platforms for such candidates if the law permits.  Politics is a costly business.  Corruption apart, politicians end up spending billions of Naira on political logistics.  The Nigerian Church should develop the will and the financial power to get her members contest in elections.  It is hoped that come 2027, more responsible, dependable, spiritually sound and tested God-fearing Christians would join to contest for different political positions in different political parties.