ANGLICAN Bishop of Lagos West, Rt. Rev. James Olusola Odedeji has urged Nigerian politicians who are currently jostling for advantage in preparation for next year’s election, not to see the crucial 2015 election as a do-or-die affair.
Speaking during the church thanksgiving and Holy Communion service for the 15th anniversary of the diocese held at the Arch-bishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos, Odedeji posited that politicians should rather emphasise qualitative service to the electorate.
In his words: “Politics is not a do or die affair. I pray that God’s candidate will emerge. Lagosians will ever be grateful for whosoever picked and elected Mr. Babatunde Fashlola as the governor of Lagos. Governor Fashola also have stake in the matter and that is why he must endure that his predecessor is a man of vision who will continue the good work in Lagos state”.
Odedeji further stressed the need for the election of credible, committed and patriotic leaders in 2015.
The cleric also urged the Independent National Elect-oral Commission (INEC) to use the opportunity of the next general elections to prove that it was committed to cond-ucting hitch-free polls. He added that the Federal Gover-nment should ensure that all electoral rules are enforced.
He also urged Christians in politics to be a shining example, stand for the truth, holiness, shun materialism and act according to biblical principles.
“If Christians in Nigeria can be strong, be true children of God, then we will not be where we are today,” he argued.
Earlier in his sermon, the bishop of Kebbi Diocese, Most Rev. Edmund Akanya described the 15th anniversary thanksgiving as a time of stocktaking for the diocese and challenged members to do more in evangelism and soul winning.
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