The social media was abuzz recently with reactions trailing the visit of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi of the Love Of Christ Generation Church, London.
The visit which was made known in a video that went viral on Monday elicited comments of different kinds.
Atiku could be seen in the video standing beside Ajayi who spoke of him in good light with specific reference to his sense of humility despite his status. But reactions that soon trailed the video borders on his demeanor while Esther Ajayi was speaking.
While some were of the opinion that the former vice president’s visit to the female cleric was borne out of desperation to seek spiritual help in view of his presidential aspiration, others maintained that his appearance in the video speaks volumes of the fact that he was yet to recover from the hypnotic effect of a spiritual exercise that he had just undergone.
The two submissions which form the fulcrum of the reactions were not unconnected to the current political leanings of almost everyone as the general election draws near, coupled with the fact that his host is from a white garment church which further fueled their curiosity of what could have happened behind the camera.
But from whatever angle one chooses to view the visit, conclusions are bound to be similar of the fact that such move is the stock in trade of an average politician in our clime, especially at a time like this. They take turns to visiting religious leaders which, in actual sense, is not an aberration as religion itself is part of the social institutions that make up the social system.
It is, however, expected that the narratives would take a new twist in this case as the host is from a Cherubim and Seraphim church which unarguably gave rise to the impression that such encounter was at variance with just laying of hands and biblical charge.
The truth: It takes someone who is close to the fold to understand that such notion, without doubt, is irreconcilable with the reality that abounds. The reality of a fold with members who are deeply rooted in the word of God and, as such, do nothing otherwise. The reality of a fold that prioritizes evangelism anchored on winning souls for Christ. The reality of a fold that has grown in leaps and bounds over the years simply because it was established on the word of truth.
Widely known as a spiritual church, her members place premium on the things pertaining to the spirit of God with the consciousness of His heavenly kingdom. Anything on the contrary could only come from those who are not in tune with the purpose upon which the church was established, yet they identify with it.
So much that they are often referred to as “bad eggs”, their ilk also exist amongst other denominations.
Suffice it to also state that some religious leaders may have soiled their reputation as a result of political endorsement and affiliation, but the C&S fold remains untainted in this regard.
As seen in the video, Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi was emphatic about the what she deduced from her encounter with the Adamawa state born politician which was his sense of humility. As exhorting as her submission was, nothing more could perhaps have been said than that.
Significantly, the Supreme Head, His Most Eminence Prophet Dr. Solomon Adegboyega Alao has always been a proponent of seeking good governance without getting one’s reputation befouled.
In what some may have deemed an opportunity to get their portion of the national cake upon meeting with president Muhammadu Buhari, the supreme head reiterated over time that his visit to the villa earlier in the year was to tell the truth to power as regards the reality of the state of things in the country and the core expectations of Nigerians.
This was as he clarified, even in public glare, that the visit was not to curry favour. A claim the Chief PRO of the church, Snr Supt. Apostle Muyiwa Adeyemi, who was also among the delegates, said some of his friends hardly subscribed to upon inquiry.
So much that the picture of Iya Adura as Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi is fondly called and Osinbajo did not raise much dust when it surfaced on the internet a couple of weeks back – maybe because they bumped into each other at an event – then there is no point in making mountain out of molehill in the case of Atiku. It was just like every other visit – a path other candidates thread during electioneering period.
As for the C&S church, our white garment sure distinguishes us from other denominations, just so everyone knows it is our pride and most importantly part of what depicts us as the light of the world.
Seraph Dayo Oyewo. A Journalist/Social Entrepreneur. He loves meeting new people. Favourite Hymn: Ji Okan mi dide layo
