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The General Secretary of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Rev. Dr. Ayuba Asheshe, has said politics appears dirty because many good and principled people have refused to participate in it.
Asheshe made the statement during an interview with African Drum shortly after his re-election for a second three-year term at the just concluded 73rd General Church Council held at the Church’s International Headquarters in Jos.
The ECWA scribe said Christians must change their mindset and become actively involved in politics in order to promote justice, accountability and godly leadership in society.
“There has been a wrong notion among Christians that politics is dirty. Agreed, politics may be dirty, but if clean people refuse to enter it, dirty people will dominate it and make dirty laws which even clean people will be forced to obey,” he said.
He maintained that believers who seek public office must remember they are elected to serve all citizens regardless of religion, tribe or political background.
“Remember first that you are a child of God, and secondly that you represent all people, not just Christians. Muslims and even people of other beliefs voted for you. Therefore, you must be fair and just in your representation,” Asheshe stated.
Speaking on national insecurity, the cleric lamented the killings, kidnappings and attacks affecting many communities across the country, including ECWA members.
“Honestly, I do not think we are on top of the situation. It appears the situation is on top of us,” he said.
Asheshe also expressed gratitude to ECWA delegates for re-electing him, saying the confidence shown in him would inspire greater commitment to service.
He said one of his priorities in the new tenure would be to deepen unity among pastors, strengthen relationships within the church and improve welfare structures.
The General Secretary further commended ongoing efforts to introduce salary centralisation within ECWA to support pastors serving in financially weak rural congregations.
He urged Nigerian leaders at all levels to govern with sincerity and reminded office holders that performance in first tenure determines whether they deserve another mandate.
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