President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Ayokunle Olasupo, has lamented the Federal Government’s failure to address issues of wanton killings of Nigerians by suspected herdsmen and the Boko Haram insurgent groups.
He has therefore called on Nigerian Christians not to be naïve and fail to defend themselves from the marauders who now appear to be “more powerful” than the government.
Olasupo, who doubles as President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), stated this during the weekend at the Rivers Baptist Conference International Camp Ground, Ndele, in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State during a pre-convention briefing.
At the briefing, which was part of the events to mark the year’s annual meeting of the NBC and entitled “Moving forward, building a great nation through effective Christian participation,” Olasupo admonished Christians, especially Baptists, to participate in politics, because “Nigeria will only change when Christians take over leadership positions.”
Speaking on the need for self-defence, he said “Lawyers have been speaking that the issue of self-defence is constitutional and also common sense, which may not be common, because if you see somebody coming with dangerous weapon to kill you and you say it is not constitutional to defend yourself, then you must be ready to lose your life.
“It is common sense that you defend yourself from danger that is coming; but if you think it is not good to defend yourself, goodluck.
“Don’t be naive. If these marauders appear to be more powerful than the government and they cannot save us from them, then we save ourselves. For about nine years now, these people have continued to kill and it appears like they have more guns and tactics than the security agents to be able to continue.
“How many of them have been arrested? How many of them prosecuted? Then if I allow them to take my life, I will be responsible for my foolishness.”
On Christians’ participation in politics he said, “Christians, take charge”, stressing that participation of Christians in politics is crucial to help save Nigeria from being governed by persons who do not have the fear of God and lack compassion and vision.
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