The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Edo State governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has advised Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Godwin Obaseki, not to drag the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) into their dirty and unholy politics.
The Ize-Iyamu Campaign Organisation stated this yesterday, while reacting to a statement signed by Governor Oshiomhole’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, on Tuesday, accusing the RCCG Edo Region 13 headquarters (Trinity Sanctuary) in Benin City, of converting RCCG into the PDP campaign office of Ize-Iyamu.
Oshiomhole through his CPS had said that banners of the PDP and its candidate adorn all the walls of the church, alleging that only the altar is spared of what he described as disgrace.
“Oshiomhole and Obaseki, should not drag RCCG into their dirty, unholy politics. The allegation is a cheap blackmail from those who want to bring the name of the church to disrepute and they will surely fail,’’ the campaign organisation stated.
However, the campaign organisation said in the middle of untold hardship and fast deteriorating socio-political, cultural and economic institutions in Edo State, caused by the “unholy and anti-people’’ policies of Oshiomhole’s APC-led government, good Christian leaders cannot continue to remain in the middle-of-the-road and aloof.
The PDP candidate campaign organisation added:, “As part of his on-going efforts to sell his manifesto to the Edo people, Pastor Ize-Iyamu recently had a wonderful interactive session with the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).
“He told them his desire to serve and give purposeful leadership and he believes the time is now. As an ambassador of God, his desire is to continue to be a role model in politics and inspire hope in our people.
“Some will say that Christians shouldn’t be active in politics, that we should simply focus on the life of the church. Others will argue that Christians can’t be active in politics; that the so-called separation of church and state prevents people of faith from participating in the political process. Pastor Ize-Iyamu believes both of these arguments are false.
“In fact, Christians have a moral obligation to be faithful citizens. Patriotism and service to our nation are hallmarks of the Christian calling, so long as duty to God is not compromised. People of faith can and must help revitalize our state and nation. We have a vital role to play.’’
Ize-Iyamu strongly believes that pastors are free to help their congregants understand and embrace the role they must play as active and faithful citizens in our nation, adding that Pastors also are free to encourage registering to vote, becoming informed, showing up on Election Day and casting votes that protect their liberties and support Godly values.
‘’Why can’t pastors be part of our efforts to rescue Edo State? Just yesterday, three more pensioners in Edo State died while others are presently languishing in penury and different ailments following the long wait for their arrears of pension and gratuities after retirement from active service’’, the campaign organisation added.
‘’The pensioners drawn from various establishments in the 18 local government councils with placards had early in the month protested along major roads and streets in Benin the state capital with a call on Oshiomhole to urgently come of their rescue as some of them are dying gradually but painfully.
