Bishop David Oyedepo and Mr. Peter Obi Bishop Oyedepo and the Politics of 2010
In 2010, Bishop Oyedepo (Baba) visited Umaru Musa Yar'Adua when his health issue became critical.
When Baba came back, at a function in Ogun State, Baba released a statement that fueled tension in the country and the statement was part of the intense agitation for the calls for Goodluck Jonathan to take over as Acting President.
In April 2010 at Gbenga Daniel's birthday party, Baba said after visiting Yar'Adua:
“Our foundation as a nation and people needs to be re-examined. Men and women of integrity are lacking in Nigeria. NIGERIA IS INTEGRITY SICK AT ALL LEVELS, FROM THE FAMILY TO GOVERNMENTAL LEVELS.”
"Our forefathers were not ruffians; they are men of integrity. In most cases, qualifications enhance corruption. Our forefathers were men of character and integrity. They were very intelligent, and that was why they could maintain their territorial integrity.
"Nigeria has lost virtues and credit which must be recovered. Nigeria has unlimited potential. Why are we still crawling while we are supposed to be flying? OUR PROBLEM IN THIS COUNTRY IS LARGELY BASED ON OUR INABILITY TO TEST OR PROVE WHO OUR LEADERS SHOULD BE. WE OPERATE A LEADERSHIP SYSTEM WITHOUT A FORMULA.”
Note: The statements emphasized added more to the "Yar'Adua Must Go" mantra.
Bishop Oyedepo and the Politics of 2014
In 2014, Baba was in Osun State to identify with Rauf Aregbesola.
Building up to the August 9 Guber poll in Osun, Baba gave his support for Rauf Aregbesola.
Baba's visit to Osun was, possibly meant to quench the booming religious politics in the state, but it later boomeranged.
The Christian community heavily mobilized for Omisore Christopher, and there was this slang" Vote Omisore, Vote Jesus"
In response to this, Tahwun in Iwo, Tablig across the state (who never participate in Osun politics) also rose to balance what Peter Obi now called the "Religious War".
Bishop Oyedepo and the Politics of 2015
Goodluck Jonathan was to be elected as the President of Nigeria amidst agitation from the North that the tenure of Yar'Adua and his untimely death has to be consolidated with a northern presidency.
Uncle Femi Fani-Kayode was to organise the churches in favor of Jonathan's presidency. He did wonderfully well, getting the likes of Bishop Oyedepo, Bishop Onaiyekan, Pastor Oritsajafor, Paul Enenche, Paul Adefarasin, Uma Ukpai among others in the fight to defeat Buhari.
Jonathan was unity to go for Oritsajafor as the Coordinating Pastor to mobilize other pastors and Christian communities across the country to organize their votes for him during the 2015 general election, but he later had to make a choice between Baba Oyedepo and Baba Adeboye for two reasons.
One, these two men of God have not had their names enmeshed in financial scandals like Pa Oritsajafor was suffering then. Secondly, it was established that these two men, relatively, have the highest congregation in the country, at least around Four Million followers for either of them, as at 2015.
Jonathan had to stick to Baba Oyedepo as his Coordinating Pastor who will go round the country to canvas Christian votes for him after Jonathan noticed that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu had cornered his projection with the choice of Yemi Osunbajo as the Vice Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Recall that Osinbajo is a godson to Baba Adeboye and there is no how he would jettison his own for "Religious War".
Jonathan was at Cannan land, Ogun State a few weeks to the 2015 general election to appreciate Baba Oyedepo and still address the congregation.
Two factors really worked against the use of churches in the 2015 general election. The choice of Osinbajo of the Redeem Christian Church of God was one and another was an alleged embezzlement of N10 billion by a small number of big pastors while the small pastors were allegedly deceived to sign a document that they have taken their shares of the lump sum.
Bishop Oyedepo and the Politics of 2019
Building up to the 2019 general election, precisely in 2018, Baba Oyedepo was again rumoured to have aligned with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to unseat Muhammadu Buhari.
Baba Oyedepo on the altar said, “Will I ever be in a political party in my life? No. Gone forever.
“I knew God has positioned me far above all nations even when I was not above a town or a street. I knew it by devine insight. That is where God is taking you to”.
Nevertheless, it was a contest between Atiku Abubakar and Muhammadu Buhari.
Bishop Oyedepo and the Politics of 2023
Actually, until recently, Baba Oyedepo's involvement in 2023 politics wasn't considered that high, although there are strong indications that religious factor was tantamount to who get what number of votes in the last election.
A leaked phone conversation between Bishop Oyedepo and the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi revived the involvement of Baba Oyedepo in the politics of 2023.
In the leaked phone conversation, Mr. Peter Obi was heard loudly begging Baba Oyedepo to assist him in canvassing Christian votes in Southwest, Kwara and Kogi, and Baba Oyedepo was supportive to what Mr. Peter Obi called "Religious War" in his response to Mr. Peter Obi's request.
Listen to the phone conversation on our YouTube Channel. Do not forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel.
Category: Forum
Tag: Bishop David Oyedepo involves in Nigeria politics
Written by Omooba Alekuwodo (omoobaalekuwodo)
Published 4/4/2023 11:36:17 PM