Decorum should guide political campaigns
Of recent, our opinion, religious and respected former leaders now top the chart of the newly recruited spokespersons or rather attack dogs of political parties and politicians seeking elective positions. One of such comments that had gone viral was the New Year message of Reverend Father Camillus Ejike Mbaka: a fiery Catholic cleric and social […]
Of recent, our opinion, religious and respected former leaders now top the chart of the newly recruited spokespersons or rather attack dogs of political parties and politicians seeking elective positions. One of such comments that had gone viral was the New Year message of Reverend Father Camillus Ejike Mbaka: a fiery Catholic cleric and social critic, whose views on burning national issues are conspicuously etched on the national psyche.
At his Adoration Prayer Ground in Enugu, Father Mbaka was quoted as saying among other things that; “The way Nigeria is going right now; the office of Goodluck Jonathan let another take. I’m not campaigning for anybody. I’m filled with tears over what is happening in Nigeria…” Between years 1999-2003 when, former governor Chimaroke Nnamani held sway in Enugu, the intrepid Mbaka was one person who did not hide his disdain for certain policies of government.
From his Adoration Ground at the then Polo Park, Enugu, he launched heavy verbal attacks on government policies and dared the powers that be with blistering criticisms. This position of course brought him and those at the position of authority on a grave collision course until the expiration of the tenure of the former governor.
Our religious, past and present political leaders who are supposed “role models,” must guide their utterances on burning national issues with moderation and decorum. They are weighty and as such are capable of revving up emotions and swaying opinions throughout Nigeria especially as the 2015 general elections inches closer. For the religious leaders specifically; they should endeavour to preserve and maintain absolute neutrality, poise, solemnity and serenity known for their vocation by shunning any bait capable of knowingly or unknowingly dragging them into the murky waters of Nigerian politics.
The Holy Bible provides unassailable direction to behaviour or reaction of men towards situations like ours in 1Timothy 2:1-3 which says: “I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men. For kings and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our saviour.”
In a similar vein the Holy Quran 4:59 says: “O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the messenger, and those of you who are in authority. It is obligatory upon a Muslim that he should listen (to the ruler) and obey whether he likes it or not except when he is ordered to do a sinful thing, in such case there is no obligation to listen or to obey.”
Eze wrote from Zaria, Kaduna State<[email protected]>