“Let’s fear Almighty God, You’re not the Returning Officer”
“You’re fasting, Fear Allah, Fear Allah”
One of the party agents at the collation centre in Yola, Adamawa kept saying as now suspended the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Adamawa, Hudu Yunusa-Ari went on to illegally declare Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Aishatu Dahiru Binani, winner of the Governorship election in Adamawa.
The first two statements were heavy and should, without much more addition, have opened up the conscience of any good man to do that which is right.
This brings to fore again that Nigeria is a nation with a rich religious heritage, yet it has become clear that the fear of God is lacking among its leaders and citizens.
Yunusa-Ari’s case is one of many instances where those in power in Nigeria have shown a lack of fear of God. Instead of upholding justice and righteousness, they have chosen to prioritize their own selfish interests and those of their political party. Even some religious leaders have contributed to the problem by stoking enmity during the political season instead of preaching love and unity.
It is a mystery why Nigeria has thousands of worship centers across the country when it remains the corruption, poor leadership, and poverty capital of the African continent. It begs the question of what the essence of these worship centres is if they are not producing citizens who fear God and seek to do what is right and just.
It is time for Nigerians to reflect on the state of their nation and ask themselves why they should ever dream of heaven or a better Nigeria when the intents and interests they share are in no way reflective of the fear and belief in God. We cannot continue to pretend that everything is okay while our leaders continue to act with impunity and disregard for the law.
Also, as a people who produce the leaders we have rarely shown that we fear God. Instead people, use the excuse of poor leadership to execute heists, kidnap, and engage in money ritual or cyber scams among others.
As citizens, we have a responsibility to hold ourselves accountable and demand that we act with integrity and fear of God. We must prioritize the common good over personal interests and political affiliations. This can only happen if we are willing to make a change, love ourselves, hold and those in power accountable.
We must all strive to be guided by the principles of justice, righteousness, and integrity, and hold our leaders accountable when they fall short of these standards. As the Christian and Muslim fasting cycles come to an end – time would tell if we truly embody the service of God to humanity or we are selfish, conscience lacking beings walking the face of the earth.
