Politics should be a Selfless Service to Humanity not to be Commercialized, Says Taiwo Dominic

If leadership is a burden and positional authority is a privilege, then, it should never have been a major source of tussles. Elections are complex undertakings with explicit and implicit risks before, during and after the exercise. Yet, the truth is that there will be no positive change in governance if all and sundry continue to “sit on the fence”. This summarizes the submission of a thought-provoking lecture: Election in Nigeria: The Role of Priests and Laity delivered by the Head of Department (HOD), Politics and Human Rights, JDPM Oyo, Mr Taiwo Dominic on 1st February 2019 at the St John the Baptist Catholic Church, Iseyin Deanery.

Addressing the congregation, Mr Taiwo Dominic, said politics should be a call to serve humanity not an avenue to enrich one’s pocket. He added, commercialization of politics in Nigeria should be a thought-provoking issue for all especially as the sanctity in the system gets worse on daily basis and as a result of the 2019 General Election that is around the corner, yet the church fold their hands, no one is raising the alarm about the political comatose.

“All eyes are on Nigeria more than ever because of the general election that is coming up this month. When you look around many issues demands thorough analysis. The recent suspension of Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen and the swearing-in of the new Inspector General of Police (IG) Adamu Hassan who on assumption of duty relieved six Deputy Inspector General (DIG) who were his senior colleagues has raised the tempo of uncertainty that the coming election will be free, fair and credible. All the circumstances do not favour a productive Nigeria that you and I projected”.

According to him, Nigerians especially Christians should be very careful and watchful during the election, adding that politicians are usually violent during the electioneering time because of fears of defeat, insatiable quest for power by crook and hook and for the sake of recovering the campaign expenses. He maintained that the power of the Catholic Church in shaping the society, moulding public opinion and setting agenda for value orientation is long-standing and legendary.

He charged the Catholic faithful to be law-abiding before, during and after the elections. He cautioned the church that on election days, common interest should supersede personal interest to make peace to reign by adjusting to the situation, reconcile themselves with God and their neighbours for common good rather than joining those who destroy public properties and perpetrated other civil disobedience.

"It is a common knowledge that the Catholic Church is the best institution for enlightening the mind of the people spiritually, socially and morally. So, I am very sure that the Catholic Church through the Priests constitutes the guardian angels for society's sanity, survival and advancement."

Mr Taiwo further stated that as the repository of values and a fulfilled life, Priests should continue to lead Catholics to pray for stable Nigeria, encourage Catholics to stand up and speak the truth with the peaceful disposition in all issues before, during and after the elections.

“I expected the Laity to be politically enlightened, preach political messages diplomatically without partiality. They must be able to change their mindset and others on stereotyping politics as a “dirty game”. If we don’t stand up and correct this bad system on time, we will continue to remain in the same spot.”

The facilitator also cautioned the congregation to be security conscious, avoid involving themselves in unnecessary public political arguments, bragging of intended candidate of choice, walking around late in the night, carrying huge cash and mobile phones around, visiting popular joint for a drink among other before, during and immediately after the election.

He encouraged the congregation to use their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) wisely on election days, be wary of power-hungry politicians who will want to buy their votes, avoid spreading fake news in public and on social media. He charged the Church to play politics and seek appointment and elected posts, deviate from running away from politics which has often been labelled as a "Foul Engagement" stressing out that virtually all the society's activities feed on politics. This he pointed out with a biblical allusion from Isaiah 61; 1-2.

While rounding off his lecture, Mr Taiwo Dominic, urged all Catholics and other Christians to be ready to pay the full price because nothing under the world is free, even our salvation was paid for by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. He said Laity should be determined to be active politicians by playing politics of justice and development for a better and stable Nigeria.