Tony Marioghae
A Nigerian clergy in the Philippines, Bishop Tony Marioghae, has asked Nigerians to use next year’s election as an opportunity for impoverished and poor Nigerians to kick out bad leaders from seat of power.
Mikhail Gorbachev, last leader of the Soviet Union
Marioghae made the observation in a statement made available to Church Times on Wednesday, August 31.
The bishop who pastors one of the fastest growing churches in the Asian continent said Nigerians who truly want genuine change in the country can’t afford to sell their votes and waste the opportunity 2023 will bring.
He said, “Selling your vote will deprive you of the moral authority to hold our elected officials accountable for their actions in office. Non-accountability promotes corruption and nepotism, which is detrimental to success.”
Nigeria’s main problem
According to him every nation, ‘reflects the people’s ethics, principles and laws. Values drive principles, while principles shape national character. It is the character of a people that exalts or degrades the nation.”
The problem of Nigeria in Bishop Marioghae’s view is the values embodied in its political system.
“Decades of choosing convenience over conviction, political rhetoric over reason, tribalism over truth, pleasure over principles, parochial interests over purpose, and blind power grab over purposeful planning and posterity have significantly damaged our capacity to develop exponentially as a nation,” he said
To correct this evil, Marioghae urged Nigerians to combat the culture of corruption, deception, and sycophancy firmly entrenched in every significant institution in the country.
“We need a brave and dynamic leader who has the audacity of faith and the moral courage to confront the tiny cabal who think that they own the country,” he said.
He pleaded with Nigerians to enthrone leaders that can “confront bandits who have seized our highways for personal gain and the terrorists who are trying to turn Nigeria into a dark demonic feudal system in the name of religion. Nigerians should elect leaders who can say no to local and international cabal who have continued to plunder our vast natural resources.
Nigerians according to him should work towards positive change in all ramifications. “Nigerians must embrace this common denominator and must be prepared to make great sacrifices as we inch toward another election in 2023 if we are serious about Nigeria not becoming a failed state,” he said.
