Onaiyekan challenges all Nigerians to be involved in politics

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, John Onaiyekan, has advised Nigerians including religious leaders to be get involved in active politics, saying he is involved.

Onaiyekan who spoke during the ordination of nine new priests of the Church on Saturday, said every citizen has not only a right but a duty to be interested in politics.

The Catholic Archbishop said the leadership of Nigeria, as represented by the two major political parties in the country has not offered the people the desired change for a better Nigeria and advocated for a new system to improve upon the current condition of the people.

“Every citizen must be involved in politics. Therefore even as Reverend father, Cardinal: I am involved in politics. Only people who are irresponsible will say I’m not interested, because even if you are not interested in politics, politics will be interested in you. If we are to say now that how many Nigerians are card-carrying members of political parties, I am not sure we will be up to 10 per cent.

“In the readings of today, God is telling all of us his people that those at the frontline must be servants of all. Politics is not supposed to be aimed at gaining power for yourself. Let all politicians come back and rethink.

What do we want political power for? If it is not to serve the people, but to enrich ourselves, then Nigeria will never move forward. We have tested the two husbands now.

“Anyone who will tell us now that they will continue what they have been doing before will not help us.”

Onaiyekan urged the newly-ordained priests to be committed to their vows and be honest with all Nigerians in their task of leading God’s people. He also warned against undue excesses on the part of priests.

“Say the truth: but be careful, don’t be stupid. Your priesthood is a gift from God. We have all kinds of men of God. Some of them are doing well in terms of the things of the world. They are flying jets up and down.

Some of them are even in books as the richest men of this world. But is that what we are all about? You must know what we are called for. Carry out the ministry of Christ with constant joy and generally not attending to your personal interest, but the general welfare of the church.

“Do not take too seriously the fact that you are declared worthy by the priest today, because you are not. The moment you think you are worthy, from that point on, you are nothing.

“None of the apostles were worthy. If they were worthy would Peter have denied Christ? Do not forget that Judas. He sold Jesus for 30 silver coins.”

Onaiyekan called for more prayers for militants in the country, saying that the use of arms would not stop the reign of terror.
“Pray for the Fulani herdsmen and the Boko Haram, we should pray for them. Arms and ammunition will never do it.

Onaiyekan whose 35th Episcopal ordination as a Bishop was also marked on Saturday thanked the church and God for the privilege of service.

“I will forever remember that on my 35th anniversary as a Bishop, I was blessed with nine new priests,” he said.

By Patrick Okohue