Aso Rock Chaplain to Jonathan: elections should not be do or die

President Goodluck Jonathan returned yesterday to Aso Villa, 24 hours after voting in the general elections at his Otuoke, Bayelsa State hometown.

He attended a church service to mark the Palm Sunday.  Guest minister and Founding General Overseer of the All Christians Fellowship Mission, Abuja, Rev. William Okoye, cautioned politicians that results of the general election should be accepted, adding that “It should not be a do-or-die “ matter.

Rev. Okoye was a one-time Aso Villa Chaplain.

Before this time, the Chapel was always filled beyond capacity anytime President Jonathan was worshiping there.

But those in attendance yesterday besides the choir, did not exceed the first three rows on both sides. Workers and few security aides and reporters occupied the last seats.

Rev. Okoye maintained that those alleging that President Jonathan did not perform in his four years were either being mischievous or economical with the truth.

According to him, Jonathan’s achievements are glaring for all to see.

He was confident that the outcome of the election will be in Jonathan’s favour.

Rev. Okoye, who was the Chaplain of the Chapel between 1999 and 2007, insisted that there was nothing the Jonathan administration has not done to develop the nation.

Towards lifting up the spirit of the worshippers following the early result of the presidential elections which is going the way of the opposition, Rev. Okoye said, God puts people in authority.

He also noted that people in their usual sycophantic nature will go to various places, claiming they prayed and will want to take the glory as facilitators  of victory when the result goes the way of the principle.

He urged President Jonathan not to make that mistake but attribute the victory (if he eventually wins) to God and not to man.

Rev. OKoye said: “That is where we sin against God. It is God that puts people in authority and we have done all we have to do, we have to look to him (God) and I believe we are going to sing a new things”.

Even though Jonathan has performed, he said that he made mistakes in certain areas which he should correct if God gives him the opportunity to return.

“If God gives us another opportunity there are three things we must do:  One, we must acknowledge God as our source of victory and helper. Two, review all you have done in the past, learn from past mistakes because you have done well but you must admit you have made mistakes. Thirdly, repackage the mistakes you have made so that you can launch out in full force. Every leader in public office is in a position of trust, we must account for the position we have been given and do things right”

Rev. Okoye said he was happy that the President at a recent event said he was ready to serve but was not desperate.

“Thank God we have a President who wants to serve and not engage in do or die politics. Some of us were here during the third term agenda and I kicked against it from this altar.”

“As a villa chaplain under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the third term agenda was not originally his idea, hence he rejected it when it was suggested.  But those behind it went and repackaged and presented it to him and he bought it. When he told me I kicked against it but before you knew it he was sidelining me and so I was forced to use the pulpit to tell him God was not with him on this matter because the idea was not God’s and that was why the idea failed.”

“Thank God we have a president that says I want to serve but I’m not desperate. So it is not a question of do or die thing.”

”This election is not a do or die. If we lose we will go and use the experience to serve humanity. So, there is nothing to worry about.  I know with what this government has done if given another opportunity. Nigeria will be better. That is why we are not to be proud because God resist the proud”.

The Aso Villa Chaplain,  Venerable Obioma Onwuzurumba said that he was happy that the elections held despite wicked insinuations that the president didn’t want it to hold because he wanted to stay longer in power.

He said: “It was said the President will not allow elections to hold because he wanted to hold unto power but it held. A friend of mine sent me a text messages that God has chosen who will govern before the foundation of the world and we just voted to authenticate that person.”