The Prayers Nigeria Needs

                              -Prof Femi Adedeji

As we are still remembering the 21 years of handing over of political power from Military to the civilians in Nigeria, we made a call to Professor Femi Adedeji of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria who had a look at the political activities in the country since 1999, and without any hesitation concluded that there was nothing to celebrate. In all, with the unimpressive performance of the party politicians he believed Nigeria still has a lot to do to enjoy the full fruits of democracy. We conclude the interview with his prayer requests for Nigeria. In raising his prayer requests, even as an ordained minister of the gospel, he did not spare fellow preachers who he described as the politicians’ allies.

Sir, it is 21 Years of Democracy in Nigeria, do we have any cause for celebration?

To my mind, I would say No. No because the foundations on which the democracy was built were faulty, the essence of the democracy is not realized and the dividends do not reach most of the masses. For instance, look at M.K.O. Abiola’s case. What about the constitution imposed by the Military? Again, consider the fact that apart from Goodluck Jonathan and Yar Adua, the elected Presidents are military Generals that wear civilian attires, and can we say they are democratic in their style of leadership?

What can we identify as the positive and negative sides of the experience?

Positive side includes advent and development of GSM and social networks; and there has not been military intervention. Negative sides include economic hardship, unemployment, high rate in crime, epileptic power supply,  unabated systemic corruption, stigmatized image at the global level, poor educational system especially at the public institutions, heightened insecurity, etc. In addition, the Executive has always been power drunk, the legislature is money squandering, while the judiciary is dead!

Are our political leaders meeting up to our expectations?

Of course, we can all attest to the fact that they are not. They usually come with so many promises during campaigns and on assumption of office, they are not reachable again when they get there. In fact, the poor people always complain bitterly that their conditions are made worse at the end of each tenure.

With 21 years down the line, what is our hope as a democratic country?

Our hope is to follow the advice in the gospel album of Timi Osukoya (now, Orokoya).

(Excerpt)

Beniyan mi lo sajo,

T’o d’ona ti o mo ‘na mo

Ti ko r’eni juwe ona fun

Se b’o ye ko pada sile

K’o tete lo tun ‘ra mu.

Ile ya, ile ya o

Omo Nigeria, ile ya

Bi a ko ba mo bi a mi re

Se bi o ye ka pada sile

Ka ja ‘wo nu apon ti ko yo

Ka tete gb’ omi ila ka’na.

(Summarized interpretation)

We should do away with what is not progressive, and face the progressive path!

In the light of the above, how will you like to rate President Buhari as the country’s Commander-in-Chief?

Well, we had a very high hope and several expectations when he came on board and he indeed promised to take Nigeria to the promised land. However, now, the problems on ground  have tripled more than what we had before this administration. Buhari may have good intentions with his fight against corruption and his effecting of TSA, IPPIS and other good policies, but the execution is poor and possibly hijacked by people who are more powerful and crafty.

Besides, the manifestos are there, some of which are: one million job creation, low pump price of petrol, N5,000 monthly allowance for unemployed youths, improved standard of education, Naira to have more value and end to Boko Haram insurgency.

Is he doing enough to hold Nigeria together as one?

My answer is No; judging from his failure to end Boko Haram insurgency as promised. The 2014 national conference resolutions are not considered until now. The agitations for restructuring are ignored. Ethnic cleansing continues unabated without justice. In addition, appointments to key positions and other sensitive security positions also speak for themselves.

There have been cries and agitations for restructuring in Nigeria. What is your take on this?

My position is very simple and logical. If under regionalism, the country developed greatly and under this over-centralized structure, we have retrogressed greatly, why can’t we go back to the workable system?

It will be three years to go for Buhari, what do you expect from him before the end of his terms?

‘Three years’ is still much. He can still fulfill his promises. But my fear is that this country is already under a siege. There is so much falsehood, evil powers, corruption, looting and evil agenda to be contended with. It is my prayer that God will give whoever is in leadership the power to deal with the forces. Finally, the restructuring of the country for true federalism needs to be done now, before it is too late!

What kind of a President will you like to see succeeding Buhari?

A listening President that is masses-focussed; a detribalized leader that is ready to take us out of present bondage and predicaments.

Some people have indicated Tribe or Zone they want the next President to come from. What will you like to say on this?

Well, the fact is that based on existing tradition, the next President should come from the south and in particular Southeast. I think that is sensible; all things being equal!

How will you like to pray for Nigeria?

These are the needed prayers for this country at this critical period:

1. I pray that all powerful evil people among the leaders of this country and their allies (including politicians and false pastors/prophets), with all their lies, falsehood, evils schemes and activities, will be exposed and disgraced, by the blood of Jesus, and in Jesus name.
2. All the evil powers, cults, money, connections and unity of the enemies of Christ, His kingdom and the masses in Nigeria, be shattered into pieces in Jesus name.
3. By the power in the blood of Jesus, you angels of destruction that worked in Egypt in those days, go from the highest stronghold to the least in Nigeria and do as you did in Egypt. Let there be wailings in the houses of the unrepentant oppressors of Nigerian, in the name of Jesus.
4. In Jesus name, we uproot corruption in Nigeria (starting from the church) and all its roots.
5. By the blood of Jesus, we terminate the covenant, activities and the grip of marine spirits, demons, cultists, witchcraft and evil principalities on Nigeria in Jesus name.
6. We confess the sins of God’s ministers and speak repentance and unity to the church of Christ in Nigeria, in Jesus name.
7. Let there be revival of holiness and righteousness in all churches in Nigeria, in Jesus name.
8. COVID 19 and its attendant politics and evils are terminated in Nigeria, by the blood of Jesus, and in Jesus name. Amen and Amen.