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By Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Redeemed Christian Church of God(RCCG) has said its newly created Office of Directorate of Politics and Governance has nothing to do with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) or any person who may have political ambition in 2023.
RCCG Head of Media and Public Relations, Pastor Olaitan Olubiyi, said this in an interview with Saturday PUNCH.
He said the directorate was created to sensitise members of the church for active political participation including getting their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the 2023 general elections.
“RCCG has been creating political awareness for its members since the transition from military to civilian rule in 1999, there is nothing new about the development.
“Christians cannot afford to act ignorantly by staying off politics because the choice of political leadership affects the entire wellbeing of any people,” he said.
The RCCG spokesman further advised other churches in Nigeria and elsewhere to emulate the activities of the church by sensitising their members to be politically involved.
In a memo addressed to all regions, provinces, zones and other levels of the church, RCCG said the directorate was created for political education of its members.
The memo dated February 28, 2022, and signed by the Assistant General Overseer in charge of Administration and Personnel, Pastor John Odesola, read: “We write to formally notify you that the mission authority has created the Office of Directorate of Politics and Governance in the RCCG. Further to this, Pastor Timothy Olaniyan (PICP Lagos Province 12) has been appointed to lead the Office.
“You are kindly requested to appoint with immediate effect a Provincial Officer for your province and also ensure that the same is done at all levels of the church – zone, area and parish. The essence of this directorate is to help coordinate the engagement of our people who are willing to be involved in politics as well as mobilize support for them when required.”
The church asked that its parishes to send the details of its nominated coordinators for the office to Odesola within two weeks of receipt of the memo.