says N100m presidential nomination form fuels corruption
By Chesa Chesa
Nigerian electorate has been enjoined to be clear-headed in the next year’s general elections and elect a president and other leaders who are committed enough and willing to die for the country instead of those merely mouthing ‘Nigeria first’.
This was the advice of outgoing Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Abuja, Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Grace, Most Rev. Joseph Oche Job.
He also condemned the high cost of nomination forms for aspiring political office holders fixed by the major parties, pointing out, for example, that demanding for a humongous amount as high as N100 million from a presidential aspirant is unnecessary and fuels corruption in among the political class.
Archbishop Job spoke yesterday when he and his wife, Sister Elizabeth Onyoche Job, were hosted to hosted to a farewell/send-forth reception at the Christ Methodist Cathedral, Nyanya in Abuja, as he retires later this year after 47 years of service to the Church.
He said that Nigerians should seek and live in peace and absolute security, which every citizen deserves, noting that there is nothing that is above God.
On the choice of a leader to pilot the affairs if state as from 2023, the senior cleric said: “I am not particular on religious basis. I am after good and God-fearing leader; man or woman who loves this nation, somebody who is ready to die for this nation, not just saying Nigeria first, but when he gets there, he puts himself first”.
He further advised that in 2023 polls, Nigerians should eschew election violence and “not be foolish to be shooting guns and scaring people away from polling centers during elections. We should now do real voting; transparent and fair elections”.
He stated that the Methodist Church has encouraged its faithful to get involved in partisan politics if they are qualified, as only the clergy are barred from doing so.
“We have made it known to our members that the church encourages Christians to have their PVC, and every Christian qualified for any position should feel free to contest, because you can’t leave all the positions to people you don’t even understand”, Archbishop Job said.
On political corruption that is rampant in the country, he said: “Nigerian politicians get corrupt because the process leading to getting political leadership is financially driven and paved with financial inducements. So when a politician climbs the ladder to the top, he will have to pay back.
“Buying a nomination form for N100 million is just not necessary. Even if he claims he borrows or gets the money from friends, he will still pressured to compromise.
“So we are asking these major parties to reduce the cost of nomination forms, so that people who get to the top will not be fighting and struggling to pay back. That is one way we can minimise political corruption in this country.”
Above all, he preached that “the fear of God is very necessary. If we all fear God and attach dignity to human beings, there will be less trouble in this nation”.
The host bishop, Rt. Rev. J.O Kehinde Adeyemi, expressed gladness “to receive the Archbishop whom I have worked with over the past four years and we regard him as a father to the diocese.
“We are happy with his tenure and I pray that God will grant him long life in good health to enjoy his retirement.”
Speaking on the significance f the occasion, the Cathedral’s Public Relations Officer II, Dr. Ejike Madu, said that it provided an opportunity for the diocese to join the Archbishop in thanking God for spending 47 years in the vineyard serving God, the Church and humanity.
“It also provided an opportunity for him to speak on the burning issues in the country. I wish him the best of luck and happy retirement, though their likes are never tired.
“They continue to served God and remain active in the church. He may continue to respond to societal issues; only that he won’t take official positions. He remains Archbishop until death.”
