By Aramide Oikelome/Lagos
Dr. Mike Okonkwo, the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), has said that Nigeria is not ready for true federalism.
According to him, to entrench true federalism in the country, the first thing to do is to make governance less attractive, and then allow retired people of integrity, vision and goals, who have already paid their dues in private businesses or chosen career, to be allowed to govern the country.
The cleric made this submission in his welcome address at the recently concluded 24th Kingdom Life World Conference (KLWC), with the theme of this year’s conference on “Open Heaven.”
In his words: “I do not think Nigeria is ready for true federalism. If we are true and sincere about true federalism in this country, the first thing we should do is to make governance less attractive. There are people today who have retired from their private businesses or chosen career. These are people of integrity, vision and goals that can move this nation forward. For me, people like that who had already paid their dues and can deliver should be allowed to govern this country.”
He took a swipe at the present structure which allows charlatans and cow boys to move into government solely for individual gains and not because they have something to offer.
“The present structure we have is the type that allows charlatans and cow boys to move into government houses all in the name of politics; because of the benefits that are there and not because they have something to offer. Many of them who are there today are there, not because they have something to offer.
“About 90 per cent of Nigerian leaders both in the federal and state levels are not there to develop the country. Their interest is purely personal. We need to put things right and get people who know that the purpose of governance is for the benefit of the people,” the clergy said.
He expressed worry at the magnitude with which corruption has eaten deep into the system, adding that the moment we started exchanging money for performance and integrity, that was when we started having problems.
“It is true that corruption has been the bane of our society but the present magnitude is most worrisome. There is hope for Nigeria. Nigerians should not give up hope.
He called on the body of Christ to shun distractions and face the challenges of this present day, adding that God wants to showcase His children but we do not know this, hence His people are suffering.
“Heaven is open over the church but we do not know it, hence we are suffering in ignorance. God wants to showcase us as emblems of His blessings. As recorded in James 2 vs. 10; Romans 4 vs 23, and in Deut 28. It is high time the body of Christ stands out and be seen to be imbued with power to face the challenges of this present day. Get rid of ephemeral distractions and be connected. We are God’s ambassadors, the light of the world. We should not be intimidated by the darkness all around us in Isaiah 61 vs. 1.
“Jesus wants us to put things where they should belong, Galatians 1 vs. 6. Any gospel that adds laws to your salvation is another gospel. Without grace, the body of Christ is wasted. I believe the church is about to manifest in a dimension we have never experienced before.
“We are not in trouble but out of trouble. We are about to emerge because the devil is already on the run. That is why the devil is working hard to hinder it.
He urged Christians not to mix up dispensations so that it will not result in frustration and depression.
“There are dispensations in the Bible- the house keeping rule for every particular period of time. We should not mix things up; else the result will be frustration and depression.
“God established covenant for every dispensation and His blessings are released based on such covenants. The first dispensation and covenant in Genesis 2 vs. 16 -17; 1 vs. 28.
When you are exposed to evil, there is a disconnection because the strength that the devil uses is the law.
In the second dispensation , Exodus 20 vs. 1; 24.
“The mistake we often make is to bring the dispensation of Moses into the dispensation of grace; hence we do not enjoy the open heaven that is meant for us. The church is guilty of mixing up dispensations; hence there is so much confusion.”
He called on the body of Christ to serve God, not because they want him to do something for them but because they love him. “Grace does not remove you from obedience to God; neither does it remove the place of discipline in the church,” he added.
The post Nigeria not ready for true federalism –Okonkwo appeared first on Daily Independent Newspapers.