Christians have been urged to reconsider their approach to politics and governance.

A Nigerian Christian author and thought leader, Mrs. Jumoke Uwagba, made the callrecently during the unveiling of her newly released four-volume, titled: Gods And Governance series. Sheargued that believers cannot continue to pray about society while refusing to understand or influence the systems that shape it.

The authorsaid her decision to write the books emerged from years of observing the relationship between faith, leadership, power and society, adding that she began questioning the widely held Christian assertion that “politics is a dirty game” at an early age. The four books are Gods And Politics: … gods in governance (Book 1), Gods And Politics: … the systems of power and the responsibility of the gods (Book 2), Gods And Politics: … from governance to legacy. (Book 3), and God And Government (Book 4).

While recalling her experience, Uwagba said:“I kept asking whether politics itself was really the problem.” She explained further that her concern deepened as she watched Christians withdraw from politics and governance because they regarded them as worldly or corrupt.

“I came to see that withdrawal was not neutrality. It had consequences,” she said.

She argued that Christianity should not be confined to prayer, preaching and activities within the church, stressing that biblical faith also has implications for justice, leadership, education, economic life, communities and nations.

She cited biblical figures including Joseph, Daniel, Nehemiah, Esther and Deborah as examples of people who exercised influence in society without abandoning their faith.

Uwagbaemphasised that Christians have sometimes confused engagement with compromise, adding that politics can be corrupt, but abandoning a difficult system does not make that system better.

She said the presence of Christians must produce greater impacton Nigeria, stressing that the country had enormous potential, combined with its persistent challenges, including poor leadership, corruption, insecurity, poverty, institutional weaknesses and inequality, provided a compelling reason for Christians to rethink their approach to public life.

She disclosed that she was encouraged by some Christians serving in politics but remained concerned about others who appeared to assume that Christian identity alone was sufficient qualification for public leadership.
According to her, “Being a churchgoer is not the same thing as possessing political competence.

Uwagbaargued that quoting Scripture is not the same as understanding public policy and having a good heart is not a substitute for knowledge, preparation and administrative ability.

She said the question is not how many Christians occupy political positions, but what they do with the influence entrusted to them. She urged Christian public officials to demonstrate integrity, competence, courage, justice, accountability and a genuine commitment to service.

Uwagbaurged Bible schools to prepare leaders, not only preachers, who served for years as a Bible school registrar and lecturer. She also called for a broader approach to theological education and acknowledged the important role Bible schools have played in preparing men and women for ministry.

The author observed that many Bible school programmes had traditionally placed greater emphasis on theology and ministry than on leadership, governance, ethics and the responsible management of influence.