Cleric Charges President, Govs, Others to Lead with Empathy

•Decries corruption, pursuit of materialism

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The leader of the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church Worldwide, David Bob-Manuel, has charged President Bola Tinubu, governors and other elected public officials to rule with empathy and the fear of God.
Bob-Manuel made the call in Abuja, shortly before the commencement of a special Thanksgiving Service, to celebrate the centenary anniversary of the first indigenous church in Nigeria.
The Baba Aladura decried a situation where politicians turn themselves to lords over the people after being voted into power.
He stressed that as leaders freely elected by the people for the purpose of enhancing their welfare, political leaders must do everything within their powers to ameliorate the suffering of the people they govern, adding that if they must succeed, they must rule with the fear of God.
“When you are elected, when you are in position, lead with the fear of God. You have to know that those who elected you are human beings, when they are suffering you have to suffer with them as done by Jesus Christ.
“Anybody who is in position must be compassionate. He or she must show compassion to those who elected them into that office, because they are human beings and must care for them, think of them,” the spiritual leader added.
He, however, assured that the church would continue to pray for the president, governors and other elected public officials to succeed and deliver on the dividends of democracy. He also urged the people to be supportive and pray regularly for leaders to rule well.
Speaking on the issue of corruption and moral decadence in the country, the prelate called on other religious leaders not to relent in preaching the truth in the word of God and the benefits of living a holy and righteous life.
According to him, Christians miss it when they begin to pursue material wealth instead of the kingdom of God, which brings lasting wealth with peace and joy.
He noted that the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, will continue to pursue the dream and aspiration of its founder and continue to bring light to as many that are in darkness.
Bob-Manuel disclosed that besides spiritual responsibilities, the church in the last 100 years has contributed tremendously to the educational, political and economic growth of the country, adding that several schools had been established across the length and breadth of Nigeria.
According to him, the church had two weeks ago commissioned a modern hospital in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and will soon commission another one in the Surulere area of Lagos State, as part of efforts to make health facilities to Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnic and religious backgrounds.
The prelate assured that the church would continue to do its utmost best to the general development of the country and the wellbeing of its citizenry.