The Head of Politics and Governance of the Redeemed Christian Church, RCCG, Pastor Timothy Olaniyan, has clarified his comment earlier about Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
The Publisher Nigeria reported earlier that a Youth Pastor with the church, Dr Oche Otorkpa, called for the immediate sacking of Pastor Olaniyan for campaigning for Prof. Yemi Osinbajo ahead of the 2023 elections.
Pastor Olaniyan was said to have hailed Osinbajo in a statement, parading him as the only qualified person among All Progressive Congress presidential aspirants that can change the narrative of governance in Nigeria.
Jomog News understands that the cleric’s comment has received a barrage of condemnation on and off social media.
Otorpka stated that RCCG is a multiparty ministry and hence Pastor Olaniyan’s comment is a one-sided partisan stance.
Reacting, however, yesterday, Pastor Olaniyan said his comment about the VP was a personal opinion.
Olaniyan said he wasn’t speaking on behalf of the church when he mentioned that Yemi Osinbajo remained the only child of God and a pastor that could change the narrative of governance in Nigeria.
Clarifying issues, Olaniyan who spoke at an event organized by New Era Nigeria said he did not speak for the Church.
Meanwhile, Asiwaju Musulumi Of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, Dr Olatunde Badmus has warned that the number of Yoruba indigenes in the race for presidency may divide Southwest votes.
He stated this while speaking at his residence in Osogbo on Monday during Eid-el-Fitri celebration.
The business man warned that Yorubas should not be divided over the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said, “Yoruba race is an important race in Nigeria. But from just one race, you have about seven of our children come out and say they want to be president, whereas there is only one seat.
“Is that not a way to divide about 12 to 13 million votes that we have here in Yorubaland? We know ourselves. We know those who have contributed to our wellbeing.
“Only God knows who will be the next president but I will advise that we Yoruba should not divide our votes. It won’t pay us.”
Asiwaju stated that most of the aspirants believe they are capable of grabbing the APC ticket but only one person can emerge from the primaries.
He said: “Politicians have ego but by the time they go for their primaries, one person will emerge.
“The stage they are now, each of them believes he is going to win. And who among them will admit he can’t win?”
Among those to have declared their presidential ambition from the Southwest are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Ibikunle Amosun.
While Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and Pastor Tunde Bakare are said to be nursing presidential ambitions.
