Makinde To Politicians: Guard Against US’ Prophecy Of Doom On Nigeria

Politicians have been told to prevent the American prophecy of doom on Nigeria from coming to pass next year by allowing a free and fair general election in 2015. The federal government should also implement the outcome of the coming National Dialogue. These calls were made by the retired prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Sunday Olu Makinde, while preaching at the Centenary Interdenominational Church service held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja. The clergyman, who recalled the history of Nigeria from 1914 to date with the important landmarks, said despite all the challenges the country had experienced and was experiencing now, there are many reasons why the centenary is worth celebrating. He further charged the political class against making inciting statements that threaten the country’s stability. Makinde said: “Politicians should now allow that false prophecy that in 2015, Nigeria will cease to exit by allowing free and fair elections. They should let our votes count. It is God who puts those he wants in the positions of authority. They cannot help God.” He then addressed the president: “President Jonathan, you don’t need a prophet to tell you there is insecurity in Nigeria. You don’t need a prophet to tell you there is a mass unemployment in the country. You don’t need a prophet to tell you there is a decay of infrastructure, bad roads, epileptic power supply, corruption, kidnapping, armed robbery, raping and ritual killing in the land.” He called on Jonathan to properly equip the military and other security forces with the necessary armament to win the war against terrorists. He said: “The security agencies should be well equipped with modern technological arms and ammunition. Who are the financiers of the Boko Haram? Where do they get the sophisticated weapons they are using? Where do they get the money they are using? Where do they get their food or is there a special market for Boko Haram? Security is not the business of the military alone, it is the business of everyone.” Speaking further, Makinde charged President Jonathan to expose the collaborators in the government if he wanted an urgent end to the problem. When President Jonathan was asked to speak, he invited General Yakubu Gowon who presided over Nigeria during the civil war to speak. In his remarks, General Gowon recalled the 30 months civil war and regretted the situation that led to the war among brothers and sisters. According to him, “It was not two enemies that fought the civil war. They are not enemies at all. We are brothers and sisters and we thank God for protecting the country.” He said his name, Gowon, which became the acronym for ‘Go On With One Nigeria’, was not his own making but that of the media. He recalled how he was asked by the media if he knew the meaning of his name and he responded, ‘yes’, the unnamed reporter said, “Your name means Go On With One Nigeria”. In his speech, President Jonathan faulted those opposed to why the federal government decided to hold the centenary celebration amidst bloodshed, saying in spite of the security challenges, the country has more opportunities that outweighs the challenges.