RCCG joins the 2023 fray by putting up structures to mobilise support for its members seeking elective offices. One of them may be Osinbajo
Amid speculations that Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo may soon declare interest to run for the presidency, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), the Church he pastors, has created a directorate to mobilise for its members running for offices.
Osinbajo is a senior member of the RCCG, and a close confidante of the church’s General Overseer, Pastor EA Adeboye.
Many believe that Osinbajo will declare his interest to replace Buhari after the March 26 convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
A memo from RCCG Assistant General Overseer (Admin/Personnel), Pastor J. F. Odesola, announced the creation of the Directorate for Politics and Governance ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The memo dated February 28, 2022, specifically noted that the newly-created Directorate is to coordinate the affairs and activities of members interested in seeking political offices in 2023. Some are already connecting Osinbajo’s 2023 interest to the RCCG memo.
The RCCG also announced the appointment of Pastor Timothy Olaniyan, a Pastor in Charge of Province (PICP) Lagos Province 12 as head of the Directorate.
The RCCG memo, which elicited reactions from many Nigerian on Facebook, also directed pastors at regional, state, zonal, and all other levels to appoint officials to coordinate the new directorate at such levels.
The memo reads in part: “We write to formally notify you that the mission authority has created the Office of Directorate of Politics and Governance in the RCCG. Further to this, Pastor Timothy Olaniyan (PICP Lagos Province 12) has been appointed to lead the office.
“You are kindly requested to appoint with immediate effect a Provincial Officer for your province and also ensure that the same is done at all levels of the church – zone, area and parish. The essence of this directorate is to help coordinate the engagement of our people who are willing to be involved in politics as well as mobilise support for them when required.”
Meanwhile, tongues have started to wag over the Church’s action with some saying a venture into Politics can polarise the congegation.
“Have you seen the memo? Do you get it? If you don’t get it forget about it,” a Houston-based journalist, Adeyemi Adeoye, said in a facebook update.
“I hope the RCCG knows the implications of this adventure. Politics does better than a knife in dividing clans, tribes, families and religious centres. I hope this fast rising House of God is not plotting a major crisis against itself. I hope the Church is aware,” Timothy Adeleye said.
