As though the gubernatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), His Excellency, Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi OON, was a lone voice in the wilderness calling on Deltans to choose a governorship candidate with character and integrity in order to pull the state out of corruption, the Bishop of Oleh Diocese (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev’d John Osiwuma Aruakpor, has lent his voice to the call for Deltans not to make the same mistakes of yesteryears which has placed the state where it is today.
Gbagi, a renowned Criminologist, has insisted that Deltans should elect a man they would be proud of to be called their governor instead of a man enmeshed in various crimes, ranging from fake results, forgery, murder, stealing and a dullard who cannot read nor write.
Speaking on Thursday January 19th 2023, during a meeting of Isoko north local government pastors at Adaigho Foundation Gospel Crusader, in Ozoro, Isoko north local government area of the State, the Anglican Bishop, revealed that the country is under siege today because the church failed in its responsibility to society.
The young fire brand Bishop, who took his scriptural reading from Isaiah 60:1-5, said the first thing God, created was light, after which every other thing came into existence.
While maintaining that what Nigerians particularly Deltans are passing through shows that the church has not been doing well, he insisted that if the church chose to rise, the whole nation would be in light.
In his submission, Bishop Aruakpor, said: “in order words, if the nation remains in darkness, the church has failed to give the light but if the church shines the light, then, everything good will arise.
“What we are passing through as a nation, has thought us that we have been asleep and we have not been doing our duties and consequently, the nation has been in darkness.
“And gross darkness covers the people and what do you expect? If people who are covered by darkness are championing the affairs of our nation, do you need to cry?
“You don’t need to cry because we failed to take our place as light in the nation. It is expected that the church would have been able to shine its light in every aspect of our nation.
“Be it in the education sector, the church is to shine as light. Be it in the medical, be it in the economy, be it in governance. We need to shine as light and if we shine as light, then, everything good that we are looking for, will come up.
“So, we are happy that the church is becoming conscious of what and who we are and who Christ made us to be, as light to the world and as light to the world, we are to shine so that the nation can arise and shine.
“The church, we are a factor for the good of our nation. Therefore, never again should we back down in the issues of governance of our State, in the issue of governance of our nation and community. We need to get involved in all that is been done so that we can truly be an example for them to lead.
“The thing we complain about, is character of Christ that is lacking. When you say you are the light and God is light it is because we are created in his image and the likeness of God.
“The image of God is a nature. So, when the church of God that is supposed to show forth the glory, is falling below standard, what do you expect?
“So, we need people of character, competence and people that can rule our nation that we can call upon and say to them that what you are doing is not right and he will change and if he does not change, the next election, we vote him out.
“And we can tell you that the church is in number that can stand and do something and things will change and so I trust that this time around that we are moving out of our sober, we will know how to use our voting right to correct the evil and the things that have not been done well. May the good Lord help us to do it right in Jesus name”, he prayed.
Earlier, the SDP governorship candidate, Gbagi FNIM, who lamented that there was a grave danger ahead, said the church has been disused by those in power.
His words: “There’s a grave danger ahead of us and unless we do what is right, it only get worst because we are being deceived. If you follow my campaign, you will see that I’ve been going to churches. That is because I believe that is where the problem lies.
“They have made us to believe that the church is not supposed to be involved in politics, whereas everything we do in life has a political element to it.
“The church has become poorer today because of what we brought upon ourselves as a people”.
He maintained that unless the church choose to rise up and elect a governor with good character, “we will be deceiving ourselves. You cannot do the same thing all the time and expect a different result”, he added.
Some pastors present at the event are Rev. Dr. Edward Emmanuel, Rev. Dr. W.A.O Ukpabe, Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Obi, Rev. Atanumeta A. John, Pastor Frederick Okoroh-Pius, Bishop Usiwoma Aruakpor, Bishop GimBright Adaigho, Bishop Dr. Okriko J.O and many more.
