We don’t have parties with clear philosophy, says cleric

General Superintendent, Assemblies of God Nigeria, Rev. Chidi Okoroafor, says political parties in Nigeria do not have distinct philosophy.

The cleric, who stated this in Abakaliki at the weekend, said what we see are simply platforms, or windows through which people get into office.

Okoroafor, who was re-elected as the General Superintendent for another four years, canvassed a philosophy or ideology whereby, whether you loose or win, you remain a member of that party for life.

He disclosed that Assemblies of God as a denomination couldn’t be partisan adding: “We cannot be advocating for a particular political party, even if our members are involved.

“We cannot use our alter to advocate for a political party, but we will pray that the lord will enable the right candidate to emerge for the betterment of the country.”

On his re-election, he said: “I feel humbled that the church reelected me at a nominative ballot. The constitution required two third majorities before you could be elected. But, they didn’t make the vote go two times before electing me, which means that they reposed confidence in me, and I appreciate the entire church.

“I dedicate myself to serve in the next four years, and we shall be ringing gospel bells because we have already made some plans to take the church back to the purpose of its being, which is the evangelism that Assemblies of God was known for.”

On the crisis rocking the Church, Okoroafor maintained that the body is intact, stressing that it is only an infinitesimal decimal of the church that is making noise, which makes some people outside to see the church as divided.

He said over 90 per cent of the church participated in the election, adding: “You have seen it with your eyes, this is where the Assemblies of God is, you don’t become a leader in the internet or social media, but this is where the church is.

“I have made several moves, we have spoken to their leader, we have asked him to come back that there is still opening for him to return to the church.

“But for reasons best known to him, he has not accessed the olive branch. But we are still praying that somehow and someday, he will access the offer.”

Okoroafor polled a total of 5,990 votes to clinch victory, while the first and second runners-up, Rev. Ejikeme Ejim, and Rev. Gabriel Michael apolled 467 and 49 votes respectively.