2023: Beware Of Emergency Philanthropists Distributing Gifts To Steal Your Votes, Achudume Tells Nigerians

Apostle Achudume

ABEOKUTA - As the 2023 general elections draw nearer, the General Overseer, Victory Life Bible Church International, Apostle Lawrence Achudume has charged Nigerians to be wary of politicians pretending to be philanthropists during the festive period.

Achudume disclosed this at the weekend while addressing journalists on the New Year projection for 2022.

The cleric noted that, many politicians will begin distribution of unused items to the people in order to portray themselves as good persons and cajole them to steal their votes.

He challenged men of the pen profession, as major stakeholders in the nation’s democracy, to play their expected role in fostering the right leadership on the nation in 2023, by helping to scrutinise those seeking to assume political positions.

Achudume observed that if the press keeps quiet at this critical period, the nation will be doomed.

He urged the press to be bold and fearless in the discharge of their duties by refusing to merely glorify the political office holders, but speak truth to power.

“Journalists should not fear the government. You don’t have to be cowed. If the men of the press do not challenge them, the nation will be doomed. Let us change the narratives of how leaders are raised. We must change the structure of things. With Good leadership, there are prophecies we don’t need as a nation,” he said.

Speaking further, he said there is a need for Nigerians to fish out genuine and sacrificial leaders who are not in government for what they will eat and steal while urging Nigerians to deemphasize religious, tribal, or ethnic sentiments in choosing leaders. 

READ ALSO: After Public Outcry, Ogun Government Replaces Wooden Barriers With Iron Poles On Kuto-NNPC Bridges

“We don’t need a Muslim President. We don’t need a Christian President, Fulani President, or Hausa President, but a true Nigerian who will come with a passion to rule. Until we get a truly Nigerian President, we will continue the argument about bad leadership. All we need is the right leadership”.

Speaking on the withholding of assent to the Electoral bill 2021 by President Muhammadu Buhari, Apostle Achudume observed that whatever we do, political parties should be allowed the free will to choose their representatives. 

“If it becomes operational, it is becoming undemocratic because the liberty of the political parties to freely choose their representatives is being controlled. I believe the parties should be allowed to make their choices since we are in a democracy,” he added.