#ShortThoughts: Political Appointments, Victories & Thanksgiving Services
Given, the bible does say in the book of Psalms "O Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good and his mercies endures forever"…but I sincerely doubt this is a plausible reason such pseudo-religious events are organized. For any possible position from Special Assistant to Personal Assistant to Managing Director/Director Generals, Chairman & Members of Board, Local Council Chairman, National Assembly Members to State Governors, Ambassadors & Ministers, it is all the same. Starting from Felicitations on National Dailies to Thanksgiving Services to Lavish Parties, Inauguration and more expensive receptions afterwards. Commonly at such occasions, friends, political associates, family, opportunists and other hangers on flock into the home church of the celebrate to rejoice over the appointment or election of their friend or family member irrespective of how he/she got there and at such occasion it is common to have the Priest or Pastor admonish the celebrant on “service to humanity” or “deliver on the promises made” and all such nonsense. But the highlight of these so-called Thanksgiving Services are the speeches made by the celebrant.
At this juncture, attendees and church members alike are swamped with all manner of useless chatter about their opponents (in the case of election victory) and the persecutions they suffered on their path to reaching their present position. Take an example from embattled Governor of Rivers State - Barr Nyesom Wike’s recent Thanksgiving and his predecessor and that of Ministerial nominee Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi Both leading Rivers State politicians recently went to Church for thanksgiving with Wike’s presence most likely in relation to his election victory several months after his inauguration while Amaechi reportedly went to Church in commemoration of 8 years of Supreme Court ruling in his favor, YEARS after! At both events, the two governors threw jabs at each other directly and indirectly –during a church service. Post-election or appointment thanksgivings are very popular in Nigeria for all kinds of positions be it Federal or State positions and they all make it a duty to promote it on the media for the world to see. Ironically after these post-election religious rituals, 60% of these politicians are kicked out by an election Tribunal – AFTER THE THANKSGIVING. I would have thought that winning an election in Nigeria should be followed with a sober moment of reflection by the heaviness of the task ahead. What we see today is nothing but political show of might, oppressive and aimless grandstanding that glorifies man rather than God and wanton waste of public resources.
Nigerian politicians should take time out to prepare themselves for the great task ahead rather than throw lavish parties and mock themselves with staged Thanksgiving services. In my opinion, Thanksgiving Services are best organized after serving full terms successfully. And if the person in question did a good job, he/she need not spend unnecessarily because people will celebrate them louder than they would themselves.
It will be caution-worthy of Nigerian churches to stop desecrating the Bride of Christ by allowing the pulpit to be used as a Soap Box for political pummeling and grandiose charades. The church of today is mortgaging its purpose for mammon, trading off valuable Sunday Services to the highest bidder instead of seizing any possible opportunity to bring sinners to salvation. Winning an election in Nigeria with all its intrigues, horse trading, hot wind blowing, bribery and campaign propaganda and visiting a Church to “Thank God” for actions that were fully Man-Made is at the height of deceit and hypocrisy. If we really understand that service to people through political office in Nigeria even though it may bring quick but temporary riches will lead to destruction, politicians would be seeking Gods face intently rather than engage in needless showmanship through sham Thanksgiving Services.
Selah
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