Interview: If we curse our leaders, we curse ourselves – Bishop Ohu

Rt. Rev. Gboyega Ohu, the Bishop of Lagos North Diocese of Methodist Church Nigeria, in an interview with Stanley Ihedigbo, spoke on the general elections, insecurity, diocesan synod and other things .

What is your 2023 message to your members?

I congratulated every member of the diocese for being a living soul to witness 2023 . It is very important to note that even towards the end of the year, God is still able to fulfill his promises to us and I charged every member to be up and doing especially in the area of prayers. God has promised that He will always answers us. Humility is the bedrock of every believer. Therefore, it is expected that they humble themselves, no matter their status and position, anytime they come to the presence of the Lord. Also our members should always listen to their ministers, because they are their prophets. Bible says believe the prophets, and that it shall be well with them. They will enjoy the goodness of the Lord in obeying God in their lives . Similarly, I implored the elected of God to always apply the name of Jesus Christ both in their good times and bad times because there is power in the name. The name above all the names here on earth and in heaven . They should be peace ambassadors wherever and whenever the need arises. We are one people, no matter our tribe and we shouldnt allow politics to divide us as children of God. They should preach the gospel of Jesus Christ which is truth, love, goodness, and mercy goodness to the people around them . Jesus Christ is living water and members should as a matter of necessity invite people from all walked of life to come and drink from the living water to enable them experience and testify the goodness of our Lord in their life as well. I know that with these, God will open His heavens and shower His blessings to them this year.

As a leader, what message do you have for the Christians as the 2023 election is just few weeks from now?

It is my candid appeal to all Christians to get their Permanent Voting Card (PVC) and prepare to cast their votes; because it is their civic rights and responsibilities. Going forward, “if any politician gives you money’, collect it, it is a gift and go ahead to vote for the right person you think deserve to be the leader. Don’t sit at home praying while few people are voting. Prayer is good, prayer without action is not good. It is very important for Nigeria Christians to come out in enmass and elect a leader who God will use to restore the glory of God in Nigeria. Nigeria is God’s own country and blessed with what it’s needs to be a great nation.

What is your advice on the recent fears expressed by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on security challenges and destruction of some of their offices. They are afraid that, if the situation persist, elections may be postponed?

The issue of insecurity is not a new thing to Nigeria and I must confess that , the present administration deserved commendations. They are really doing a lot in the issue of insecurity in Nigeria and I pray God continue to strengthen our President. It is very important to note fbat insecurity is not a Nigeria thing but a worldwide thing. We are aware that insecurity challenge is everywhere in the nation for a long time and we are able to unite til now, its shows that God wants us to be one people and one nation. Also, the government is trying their best, only God can do what man can’t do. I know by the grace of God, the election will hold and God will continue to intervene and strengthen the government to do their best to secure the nation.

The diocese is preparing for their annual synod and what should the members be expecting from this year event?

I really want to charge the members to continue to pray for 12th to 14th of April. Their prayers should be to invite God to chair the synod ,directs the affairs of the programme, protect their coming and going of the delegates to the synod. God to bless the members and guests who would attend the event. Also, God will give the people the grace to implement the outcome and decisions of the synod to the glory of God and to the progress of the diocese. Synod is a very important event of our diocese, where all the churches that made up the diocese meet to discuss and deliberate on issue and progress of the diocese. All these, are focused on how to expand the kingdom of God. The theme of this year synod is, “contending for the faith’ . We need to continue in the faith because faith of our fathers are contending  in order to bring God’s presence in our mist.

As a Christian leader in Nigeria, what message do you have for the people?

I want to charge every Nigerian, to continue praying for our country. Prayer is the key and we should continue to pray for our political  leaders and religious leadership. We shouldn’t curse or insult them with the same tongue we used in praying for them. They shouldn’t curse our president, governors, anybody in the authority because as Nigerians are cursing them, they are putting themselves under curse. Because if our President or elected leaders misbehaves, it is coming upon the people. We should continue to pray for them because there is no government or authority outside God’s plan in the world. Let us be praying for God’s guidance, directions and leadership of President Mohammed Buhari, the governors and those in authority of leadership. Also, we should pray for the Holy Spirit to direct our leaders to the right path with the best wisdom to help them achieve good governance and development as a nation.