Why am I not in Politics?

Why am I not in politics?
 I was in a conference few days ago, more like a discussion workshop. The theme of the talk was ‘why are you not in politics?’ I happened to be the youngest person or maybe just a year older than two others of all the ‘men’ in the building most of which were politicians, bankers, CEO’s and all that. I could barely gulp out loud not to mention air my view; I should remind you I am a very shy person (hate to mention though). Well, I had or still have something to say. Now this is why I love ‘here’ so much, this is the place my shyness doesn’t count. I don’t even have to look at anyone’s eye or tilt my hand to make a point. I am the boss here you know…
So this is my point.

While I was growing up, my dad is a very interesting young man. You can never be bored around him. At one time he lost a lot from his business; he deals on oil and petroleum. I can’t remember clearly but it should be one of the first unbelievable oil inflation in Nigeria (from the time I was born actually). The price of petroleum sky rocketed from #0.11kobo to #50.00, it was massive. It got so bad we had to drop out of school for a whole term so we all stayed at home together with dad. Every morning after little or no house chores, what else, sit around dad and get the lectures of our lives. My dad is a specialist in the history of Nigeria. I still can’t figure out how without being taught or learned from any current affairs, my dad has genealogy of events with their accurate dates accompanying them, sometimes ‘time’ when crucial at his finger tips. My dad told us with emotional demonstrations every striking event that has ever happened in Nigeria some of which even pre-dates his birth. The most interesting stories were that of the wars and the political tussles. My dad told us stories of every leader/president that Nigeria has ever had, how they got to power and how the left either by hook or crook, dead or alive.

Some many years are gone since I last sat to hear my dad tell me stories but I’m just beginning to realize the effect those stories, psychological effects those stories had or say has on me. I have secretly been scared of the word ‘politics’ without even knowing I am. I have illiterately had at the back of my mind that politics is the game of the rulers, and have nothing to do with us the ruled. My dad unintentionally made me believe that politics is for ruthless people. Power intoxicates and the quest to own it blinds, it can change who you are, you will kill for it. Not to mention, my mum is an evangelist, she sums it up that politics is diabolic and that was it, sealed, WARNING! Stay away from politics!! I didn’t really like going to school that much so I’d jump at the slightest sign of a holiday, a school break for one reason or the other. The only school break I’d rather go to school is sitting back at home in front of a boring TV station monitoring vote counts for ‘President of the Republic of Nigeria’ even we watching knows that those numbers doesn’t count (corruption), our man has long been decided. Nothing else bores like swearing in of the new or rather old-new President. If all these are associated with politics I don’t want to have anything to do with it sorry. But come to think of it, who leaves his farm because it grew thorns and thistles and has become a bush?

The conference was an eye opening one. I just realized, everything afore mentioned about politics are true – diabolic, corrupt, ruthless, blah…blah…blah… but the question is AND SO WHAT? So who are we planning on leaving it for. My mum prays a lot, she taught us how to pray too. Every four years interval, we’re on a prayer tour for the good of the land. "Lord please put the right person in authority, a God fearing man"…stop!!! Guess what…the entire God fearing men are at their homes or say, churches making the exact same prayer. So wait a second, who is God going to put up ‘kwan’? Is He supposed to manufacture some man from anywhere or is He supposed to come to your churches and anoint you ‘king’ over ‘Israel’? So, you know what God does at the end of the day, He takes the less evil man from the outstanding runners and puts him up and of course that’s it for another 8years. I think we should be grateful to God for every leader we’ve ever had because anyone other than that would’ve been much worse trust me.

I can’t believe I’ve been this dumb all this while. If politics is diabolic, ruthless and all that then WHO Am I? You are Christian right, yeah you, I am talking to you… if politics is diabolic what are you? Or haven’t you read that we bear a mark in our body. You know what that mark is- it’s the mark we got from being initiated into the most deadly secret cult in the whole universe. I don’t know about you but in this cult we eat flesh and drink blood. Not just the blood of animals or even human. We seem to be forgetting too easily that we were brought into this cult by the ‘Blood of God’. So let me ask you, who is really diabolic? (Oh I feel like preaching already). All through the bible from cover to cover, God clearly declared His interest in us His sons being in places of authority because no one else is more qualified to occupy the position of power than us. ‘Power’ really intoxicates that’s the most reason why it should be in the custody of someone who has the Spirit of Him who has all the power in heaven and on earth. From the beginning, God gave us dominion what do you think that means? What do you think "ye are the light and salt of the world" means yet we complain about corruption? What exactly are we really expecting from the world? You know, the real corruption is the fact that we Christians have spotted that there is corruption and have done nothing about it. Haven’t you noticed that there is a secret spiritual contention going on over this mountain of politics and governance? Nigeria is a very interesting country in the sense that Nigeria to some extent is powerfully influential. I don’t know about you but Nigeria is soon going to grow into the next world power, this is what I feel and the contention right now is in this foundational process, is Nigeria going to be an Islamic state or Christian. Because any of the two that takes the power will eventually rule and influence the world as Nigeria becomes world power.

I am no longer scared of politics and trust me you shouldn’t; there is no reason to be. I know just like me, you were told or read stories, I am telling you right now it is not what you’re thinking I promise. If we can start seeing every problem in our country right now as our fault, we Christians, it’s a good start. The reason why we can’t have free education in Nigeria is because the person with the God given purpose of making education free in Nigeria is the pastor of a small church in a small village and has successfully by God’s grace made education free for just his family members because his ministry healed the king of that community of head ache (please forgive me for sounding thus). I am just saying all of us can’t be the Mr. President all at once but all of us can make the next Mr. President, very easy. Rome wasn’t built in day true but it was built every single day. A system can’t be changed from the outside; you must be in the system to be able to change it. If we gradually start going into politics, from the smallest of it; Counselors to local government chairmen, one day it will be perfect. When most of us ’kingdomites’ are all set and seated in difference positions bringing down the kingdom of heaven here on earth; the election won’t be rigged because the INEC chairman bears that mark and the supreme court lord bears that same mark, most of the senate bears the same mark. On that day a kingdom man will become the President of the Republic of Nigeria and our joy will be complete as the righteous sits there surrounded with fellow righteous men who will be sorely bent on promoting the course of the kingdom.

Can I have your attention please! The greatest politicians who decide who sits on that seat are those without PVC (permanent voter’s card) it’s funny but whether you like it or not you are into politics. Being into politics doesn’t necessary mean you are opting for a position, in fact, the most important aspect of politics is the ‘King Makers’ and everyone is a part of it whether you vote or not. I like the quote that says "if you are not planning to succeed, then you are planning to fail" you simply can’t just be in-between. You either stand your spot or sell it even without knowing because every region has an approximate number when everyone available votes, they approximate the rest to whoever pays higher. Don’t sell your spot, go get yours then wait to see the salvation of the Lord when it comes so it doesn’t get you by surprise. Your votes count. Now imagine when all the churches/Christians in Nigeria chooses someone and votes for him. We can do this, in fact, God is counting on us to do it, and it is our right.

LET US PRAY;
"I pledge to Nigeria my County,
to be faithful, loyal and honest.
To serve Nigeria with all my strength,
to defend her unity (very important),
and uphold Her honor and glory…
 

So help me God, so help US God.


Amen!