In all likelihood, Pastor E.A. Adeboye of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, finally bowed to pressure to speak on the vexed issue of the Companies And Allied Matters Act, CAMA, recently signed into law by President Buhari. ‘Daddy G.O’, as fondly called would have been under immense pressure from the two sides of the divide; Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and the Presidency.
With regards to the CAN, Pastor Adeboye‘s voice is as influential, if not more so, as any member of that organization, including the CAN President, Dr Samson Ayokunle (with all due respect). Adeboye‘s ‘aburo’ in the Lord (and in the flesh) Bishop David Oyedepo of Faith Tabernacle, had already given his fiery opposition to CAMA, (same as Dr Ayokunle).
Given the divisive nature of Oyedepo’s rejection of Buhari’s CAMA (pun intended), the mantle fell more to dear Daddy G.O to speak soothingly, in order to calm frayed nerves on both sides of the divide, CAN, and Nigeria’s Presidential Palace (especially because a pastor at RCCG who’s also a spiritual son of Adeboye, Pastor Osinbajo, is currently second in command – so to speak – to the man who CAN officials and members had tried to vilify).
The delay in getting a response from Pastor Adeboye is unlikely to have been coincidental. In fact, it could have been well calculated, after all, a common Yoruba parable counsels that “eko gbigbona nfe suuru (to drink hot pap, you need patience)”. Had Pastor Adeboye spoken too early, he’s unlikely to have borne the full consequences.
We are thankful that currently, some members of President Buhari’s cabal appear to have cut Professor/Pastor Osinbajo some slack. Even Daddy G.O’s son in the Lord, himself (V.P Osinbajo) would have taken exception to a hurried press release by the RCCG General Overseer. There was all likelihood that the V.P could have faced grave vilification by members of that cabal.
On the other hand, had Pastor Adeboye remained silent or indifferent on the vexed issue of Buhari’s CAMA, he could have faced stringent criticisms from fellow brethren in the Lord’s vineyard. Judging by the fiery nature of Oyedepo‘s antagonistic approach to most issues about Buhari’s government, in respect of religion matters, it’s very likely that he would have spearheaded criticisms of RCCG’s Daddy G.O… perhaps behind closed doors.
Pastor Adeboye could likely have been accused of “going soft on an anti-Christ government, simply because one of his Pastors was second in command,…” erh, sorry, second in hierarchical nomenclature. This is likely the dilemma that Pastor E.A. Adeboye was confronted with over the past few days since the storm of Buhari’s CAMA broke out.
And so, some hours ago, it was reported that Daddy G.O finally released ‘his much anticipated’ take on Buhari’s CAMA. Here’s an excerpt of that statement:
“We always align ourselves with whatever the stand of the CAN and PFN (Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria) on issues like this. The Redeemed Christian Church of God does not take any decision that is at variance with the stand of CAN and PFN and the same thing applies concerning this very issue… We are in alignment with that (CAN and PFN) stand.”
Hmm.
Now, that’s how you say so much without really saying much. This statement kills two birds with one stone. From CAN and PFN perspectives, Daddy G.O has given his much coveted backing to their respective positions. Meanwhile, from perspectives of President Buhari’s cabals, this could be seen as a perfunctory statement, made in order to keep CAN criticisms at bay.
Come to think of it, stating that you queue behind other people’s opinions isn’t exactly the same as stating yours. It’s probably a hint that you don’t have a strong conviction about a particular matter. It could also be seen as being diplomatic, and not wanting to strongly offend opposing views. However, it’s possible that someone like Bishop Oyedepo is least likely to be impressed.
Rather than stir up further controversy, Pastor Adeboye has cleverly issued a statement which both sides of the divide will be relatively happy with. This can only be good music to the ears of V.P Osinbajo. At least he shouldn’t have to deal with retribution from members of Buhari’s cabals, who could have taken offense at ‘Pastor Adeboye‘s apparent ingratitude to Buhari’s government, which in it’s magnanimity, chose one of RCCG pastors to be Vice President.
Well done Daddy G.O, nice one.
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