Encomium
ON Saturday, April 26, 2014, ENCOMIUM Weekly was at the headquarters of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Oke Afa, Ejigbo, Lagos, where we had an interview with the founder and spiritual head of the church, Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele. The humble man of God spoke on duties of Christians after the 40-day lent. He also opened up on some national issues, including his predictions about Boko Haram insurgence and much more.
The Lenten period has come and gone, what next for all Christians in Nigeria and other parts of the world?
After the Lenten season, it’s Pentecost Day. And what we have learned during Lent is to be humble, prayerful and close to God at all times. Also, as Christians, we should begin to think of how to help our neighbours, follow the doctrine and show love to all.
But all these don’t usually reflect in the lives of some Christians, what do you think is wrong?
Of course, we cannot expect everybody to follow it. That’s why pastors are there to continue to preach and preach all the time. I believe one day their efforts will yield the desired result. It’s our duty to ensure that we win souls and make a change. And I believe the more pastors are willing to do all these, the more the members are also going to think in that direction.
Some Christians don’t believe in Lent, they don’t even fast during the season at all. What do you think is responsible for this dichotomy or is it not Biblical to observe Lent?
I don’t know, but in my own case, the only thing I believe so much is fasting and much of prayers. I also believe in all the spiritual activities which will draw you closer to God, especially when you confess your sins before the Lord. Spiritual fortification makes you to be more prayerful from time to time. Whether you believe it or not, we know it is in the Bible. So, whatever anybody’s argument is, all I know is that fasting is Biblical. I only know what is good and necessary as a Christian, whoever that has anything contrary, I don’t have anything to say about it.
But some people still believe that fasting is not spiritual but just to enhance your health…
(Cuts in) That’s not true. Fasting is purification process which in turn enhances you spiritually. So, if what you told me now is some people’s belief about fasting, my belief doesn’t go along that line.
Let’s go to national issues. There was a time you told us that Boko Haram will soon be spiritually weak and fizzled out if Nigerians are prayerful, yet they are evolving with more sophisticated means of carrying out their dastardly act. Why?
Maybe you might have misquoted me. What I said was that they will be weakened, and it is after that they will be overtaken. But there will still be other terrorist groups that will rear their heads. I also told you that Boko Haram will come up with a very deadly attack that will shock the nation. It has happened now, what next is that the Federal Government needs to overhaul the security agencies, put the right people there. For instance, the military spokesperson should be removed. Also, the impression that Boko Haram is an Islamic terrorist group is totally out of it. They shouldn’t be mistaken for Islamic sect at all. They are not Islamic group at all. They are devils using Islam as a cover up so that people will be thinking that Muslims are causing all the trouble or Muslims are fighting Christians and things like that. It’s a very wrong impression. They are just trying to mislead the public about their heinous act. But the truth is that more of Boko Haram are already in the country.
We’re only fighting Boko Haram now, the Al-Qaeda has not come out. Then, the third terrorist group is also yet to come out. That’s why President Jonathan needs a re-approach to the issue of security of the nation. I believe that should be done, irrespective of political party, ethnic or religious affiliations. We must all join hands and follow due process of tackling Boko Haram insurgence in the country. And one thing we should do first is prayer. It’s after seeking God’s intervention that we can fight Boko Haram, whether you’re a military or civilian. No matter the strategies the government may be adopting, there is still going to be a great difficulty in winning the war against Boko Haram. Our leaders must follow the path of God. They believe they can use their own formula or theory to approach the issue. Now, all their theories and formulae have failed. In the Bible, when there were people like Boko Haram who were disturbing the Israelites, there was a prophet then, he (David) would ask God, ‘Please, do I attack the Philistines?’ It’s when God asked him to do so that he would go ahead. So, we must learn from this. He is the nation’s number one security officer. Although, personally I can’t blame the president totally for whatever Boko Haram may be doing, he has to put the right pegs in the right holes. He needs to invite all the military retirees from all the ranks, invite the State Security Service (SSS) officials, the police and all that, constitute them as a committee. Then, make them your security advisers. From that, they will be able to tell you what they know because Boko Haram members are also in the government, they are in the military, they are everywhere. And I believe this is the time that God will expose them and those behind them both within and outside the country, even among the politicians. We don’t need to celebrate Boko Haram. It’s God that will fight and expose them. Surely, Boko Haram will fizzle out. But we all need to be closer to God and pray fervently in order to fight terrorism in Nigeria, not only Boko Haram.
What’s your opinion about the 234 school girls kidnapped in Chibok, Borno State by Boko Haram?
I don’t have any opinion. I don’t take opinion. All we need is pray for these girls so that nothing happens to them because their lives are in danger. Just as I told you the other time when somebody said that the missing Malaysian plane was in one ocean, I told you there was nothing like that. Since then, have they found it? It’s only the Malaysian government that knows what’s going on there. The attack on these young girls is a shame to the Nigerian security agencies as a whole. That’s why they must first consult God before anything. As a matter of fact, if I were in position of authority, I will ask all these service chiefs to resign. Also, all the prophets of God must also step into the matter. Anyone that knows where these girls are being camped should tell us.
That means you should also be involved…
(Cuts in) Why not? But it doesn’t really matter that people like us must be involved. Any other prophets of God they believe they know can as well be contacted and worked with. We have a prophet for the nation. What’s important is solution to the problem, anybody can be used by God to achieve it.
Days back, there was a social media report credited to you that two All Progressives Congress (APC) governors will defect to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the prophesy has been generating reactions. Can you shed light on this, especially unveiling the identities of the two governors?
I have said a lot concerning defection. I wouldn’t even know if I had said it but all I know is that PDP will take over Rivers State if the party is serious. Then the Vice President must be very careful so that they don’t negotiate his position. Also, the position of the Secretary to the Federal Government (SFG) maybe negotiated because the issue of negotiation will come up. I still see the PDP retaining the number one seat, and it’s going to be President Jonathan again, despite the fact that some people are going to fight him. He has to be very prayerful about his second term. I am yet to see the end to bomb explosion in Nigeria. He should also be careful because another serious bomb attack is on the way. Then, let me also tell you this about APC, the party is not really ready for the presidency because its leaders have not yet taken the bull by the horn concerning their plan to unseat Jonathan in 2015. They have not approached the matter the way it should be approached. I must say this, the party is not yet ripe for the presidency. APC leaders must also watch other states so that they won’t have any problem, and that they won’t lose any state among their states. There are lots that God has revealed to me concerning where PDP will win and where APC will win and all that. They’re coming out in my book, Warnings to the Nations in July this year. Everybody must be ready to get a copy.
-TADE ASIFAT
