PUNCH
NIRAN ADEDOKUN
The recently leaked audio, alleged to be a pre-election conversation between the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, and Bishop David Oyedepo, and the reaction it has generated, shows Nigeria’s elite hypocrisy.
As arguments go on about its authenticity, it is hard not to wonder what the fuss is all about. It is correct to say that anyone who wants to lead Nigeria must shun the divisiveness that Obi exhibited in this alleged audio. The ideal leaders for Nigeria post May 2023 should seek to unite the country and not hold such extreme, albeit patently hypocritical positions. Nigeria needs a leader for all.
Second, the level of genuflecting in the alleged tape, if it turns out to be true, is uncomplimentary at this man’s status. Although Oyedepo is in his late 60s, Obi himself is already 61. How an eight-year difference in age makes someone your “daddy” one million times within five minutes is a mystery that appears like hypocrisy and deceit. We will return to this matter.
Oyedepo, if he was indeed the one speaking on the audio, said nothing that should warrant criticism. Not only did he not condemn any religion, but he also showed that Nigeria belongs to everyone and that no group could try to take ownership! He talked about good governance and the need to elect honest people and encourage his audience to trust in God. He promised to release “a clip,” which might appear as a campaign alright, but what is wrong with that?
Oyedepo is a Nigerian who has every right to hold an opinion. That he leads a congregation does not stop him from holding or sharing opinions. What is clear, as I know it in reality, and as these elections have proven, is that congregations have people with different party affiliations and persuasions. It is therefore not automatic that a pastor’s sermon would make every Christian vote for their pastor’s candidate, no matter what they say. It is like people go to churches and mosques every day; they hear about the need to flee sin but still commit many atrocities against God and human beings!
I agree some congregants follow pastors’ charges dogmatically, but the preponderance of the people will follow their convictions. These convictions are, however, influenced by anything from party loyalty to religion, ethnicity, or even monetary inducement. Many Nigerians just go to these worship places with no impact, otherwise this country would be a more pleasant place to live in. But that is a matter of another day.
And that takes us back to the question of Obi’s conduct and his alleged utterance. I consider it a grand hypocrisy that some Nigerians take his “respect” for Oyedepo as a song of ridicule.
