Group wants Christian as Lagos next gov

LAGOS — A non-partisan group, under the aegis of Christian Conscience, has called for a Christian to be elected governor of Lagos in 2015.

The former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos, who is also a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God RCCG, Professor Yemi Osibajo, a social commentator and columnist in Vanguard Newspapers, Dr. Dele Sobowale, former Commissioner for agriculture and Cooperatives, Enoch Ajiboso, Arch Bishop of Methodist Diocese, Most Rev. Joseph Ajayi, among others, maintained that virtue remains the watchword for any candidate aspiring for the office.

They spoke, Thursday, at the inaugural seminar of the group, “The Christian Conscience,” at Christ the Light Chapel, Alausa, Ikeja which was attended by Christians across different denominations in the state.

Delivering a seminar lecture, entitled: ‘Christianity, Politics, Now and Beyond,’ Osinbajo, while supporting the cause of the group, urged the agitators to be mindful of looking for candidate with values rather than just picking someone because he is a Christian.

He said: “Our nation today, stands on the precipice of disaster and if something is not done it will collapse. Seventy per cent of Nigerians are poor, according to an international record. We must understand the role of God for our nation.” The most important thing in this cause is to sell our values or else we won’t go far. In the federal government we have had 11 years of Christians in the saddle who are yet to drive values.

Sobowale, chairman of the Seminar Committee of the group,  on his part, said “Today we are all living witnesses to a political situation which calls for us, individually and collectively, as followers of our Lord, to re-examine our position, in Nigeria in general and Lagos in particular.

“Since, 1979 when the Presidential system was first adopted till today, we have recorded exactly 164 months of civilian rule out of which only 14 had been headed by one of our own, Christian.

“I am proud to be associated with the courage and determination which had been demonstrated by all those who have made the seminar possible. Perhaps, at the end of this day, Christians in LagosState would have accepted the challenge of participating more fully in the governance of the state.”