Pastor Adeboye And Burden Of Truth -By Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

In the media especially the social media platforms, there have been strident and criticism about Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye’s silence over the kidnapping of the school children in Oyo State and general insecurity and sufferings in Nigeria today. And his fanatical supporters have risen in his defense to say that he is not the president why trouble him and single him out for attack. But, the defense put up by his people is not only porous but laughable and hypocritical. They did not know that Adeboye was not the president when he led the protest against President Goodluck Jonathan.

By participating in the protest against a government and keeping mute, sitting on the sideline watching while things turn upside down in another government smacks of sheer hypocrisy and that is what the Nigerian public is saying right now concerning Adeboye’s silence in the face deteriorating situation of the country. There is nothing wrong in lawful protest against the government. Adeboye has set the precedence with Jonathan when things were relatively good and the Nigerian expect a repeat performance this time when the country is sinking and gasping for breath. But it was not to be; not even a word of criticism from him. This is double standard and hypocrisy from the supposed man of God. And many Nigerians including some of those who hold his words to be sacrosanct and those who believe that he is infallible are greatly disappointed.

We will tell ourselves the truth. Adeboye invited the attack to himself. The Scriptures which Adeboye is supposed to be versed in admonished us not to judge others so that we will not be judged for in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. These sacred words warns against hypocritical, self-righteous criticism, meaning that the harsh, hypercritical standard you use to judge others will ultimately be applied to you. There is no doubt that Adeboye and his people attacked, blackmailed and maligned Jonathan for primordial political gains and withdrew to their shells thereafter when they got what they wanted.

Our great ancestor Usman Dan Fodio said that conscience is an open wound, only truth can heal it. And that is where we stand. Why did Adeboye lead a protest against Jonathan when Chibok Girls were kidnapped and choose to be silent when more dangerous incidents of kidnapping and banditry are happening under the present regime of Bola Ahmed Tinubu? Why did Adeboye vilify Jonathan when the economy was relatively stable under Jonathan and decides to be taciturn now when everything is in a state of topsy-turvy? Adeboye protested when fuel price was N97 and kept quiet now that it is sold for N1,400. Adeboye protested when the exchange rate was N175 to the dollar but see no reason to do so now that it is at N1,350. Adeboye protested when Bokoharam was operating in the Northeast but ask Nigerians to fast and pray now that insurgency and banditry has metastasized over every nook and cranny of the land. Haba!

Clearly, those who single out Adebayo from among the group that fought Jonathan have their reasons. Adebayo is one of the most influential pastor in Pentecostal Church in Nigeria of today and he has been greatly hyped by his team as one who hears directly from God; one who is righteous and upright. He is revered and literally adored by his congregation. Secondly, the public believes that he refused to criticize the APC regime because he has vested interest. Many were of the opinion that he kept mute throughout the Buhari time because the vice-president Prof. Osinbajo is one of his pastors. And now the Remi Tinubu, the wife of the current president is also one of his “ordained” pastors. And thirdly, many Nigerians are of the view that the main reason behind Pastor Enoch Adebayo refusal to criticize or protest against the evils of Tinubu regime is ethnic solidarity. And he is not alone in it. All those from the Yoruba ethnic group that fought Jonathan headlong from, Wole Soyinka, Tunde Bakare, Ayo Obe, Odumakin and others have all gone to sleep and are watching from the sideline as Nigeria sinks deeper and deeper into socio-political crisis because their kinsman is in the saddle. This is indeed very unfortunate!

But Nigerians must learn a big lesson from the Adoboyes and his ilk. Nigeria should not allow themselves to be misled by self-seeking tribal jingoists or religious bigots. In fact, Nigeria should be wary of those who come to them in the name of religion or tribe; they are deceivers. Hunger and hardship do not understand the language of tribe or creed. As the match to 2027 general begun, we must be vigilant. The attention should be on the right people, not the party, or your tribe and religion. Tribal and religious politics have failed Nigerians. And those who call themselves leaders should be conscious of their conduct at all times. Ndigbo has a saying: “onye ma echi”; which translates to, who knows tomorrow. Leaders should always try to be futuristic and realistic in their decisions and actions for you don’t know tomorrow. If Adeboye had known that one day he would be called out by Nigerians at a time like this, maybe he would not have join in fray against Jonathan.

Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

hajiahadizamohammed@gmail.com

An actress, social activist, politician

London, UK