Mbaka shouldn’t drag God’s name into politics – Group

Ahead of next month’s general elections, Lagos based human rights activist, Comrade Adeniyi Alimi Sulaiman has advised Christian clerics not to drag the temple of the Lord into political mud.

Sulaiman, who is Convener, Save Lagos Group, SLG, warned Christian clerics to be careful over unnecessary predictions and prophesies ahead of the February polls.

In a statement issued yesterday and emailed to Nigerian Pilot, Suleiman advised that clerics from both major religions should see themselves as Fathers to all without minding the political affiliations or ideologies of the followers.

Referring to the controversial prediction credited to Father Ejike Mbaka, Comrade Sulaiman warned against politicizing their sermons on pulpit, as the politicization of sermon might erode respect from their congregations who have different political ideologies.

The statement reads: “It is the duty of the men of God to preach to the people to do what is good and forbid what is bad for them; and men of God should try to build consciousness of people to vote for credible candidates and not to turn the temple of the Lord to campaign ground which will bring disrepute to the objective of the worship centre.

“We all know that there is religion in politics and politics in religion but if Clerics continue to speak for or against any political gladiator. It will continue to erode them of hard earned respect from the public. There is need for our religious leaders to refrain themselves from comments that can threaten the unity of Nigeria in any form. The clerics should thread softly as the country is moving closer to 2015 general elections.”