By Bridget Ikyado
Abuja – The Lead Pastor, Good Tidings Bible Church, Dayo Olutayo has urged Nigerians, including politicians, to guard against violence and hate speech during the ongoing electioneering campaigns.
He said it was imperative to preach peace and oneness, as the country prepares to elect new leaders in 2023.
The lead pastor made the appeal on Friday in Abuja at a press conference ahead of the 18th anniversary and annual Maranatha Convention of the church.
The convention, slated for November, has the theme, “Hosanna in the Highest”.
Dayo particularly said that Christians have a civic responsibility to ensure the emergence of credible leaders in the country.
He said Christians and all Nigerians should also be civil in their conduct as campaigns for the 2023 general elections commenced.
The cleric further urged Nigerians not to succumb to fear during the elections, but strive to promote peace.
“God still rule in the affairs of men,” he said, adding that peace, love and oneness were necessary for a better Nigeria.
” Let political leaders adhere to the peace accord signed and after voting, let’s leave God and the process to conclude.
“I pray that people don’t go violent to discourage those that want to vote, I trust there is going to be civility and people won’t distort the process,” he added.
Dayo advised Christians to be steadfast in prayers for the church, family and country.
The cleric who was optimistic on the success of the forthcoming polls, said Nigerians have shown determination, more than ever before, to vote candidates of their choice.
The cleric said that the church had sensitised its members, especially young people against voter apathy and electoral violence.
“We have youth focused events and a welfare department, our youth conference just ended and many more seminars held to inform and enlighten them,” Dayo said.
According to him, the church also organises skill acquisition programmes designed to help the youth become self reliant.
“The church focuses and ensures people are driven into their callings, which enhances national development and growth of the church,” he added.
The lead pastor disclosed that the church had opened schools and drilled boreholes in communities as its contributions to societal development.
Dayo disclosed that the church’s annual convention would hold from Nov. 1 to Nov. 6, 2022.
He said christians from all denominations will gather to praise, worship and thank God for all he has done to the Church in the last 18 years.
“There will be healing, deliverance and blessings.
“The event will have two sessions, the break through session with leaders who would encourage us on our daily activities, and the spiritual session where intercessory prayers would be made.”
The lead pastor added that part of programme for the celebrations would be the distribution of food and other relief materials to vulnerable and less privileged persons.(NAN/vitalnewsngr.com)
