Oke calls for caution, prayers over legal tussle on Oyo governorship poll

Bishop Wale Oke, the Presiding Bishop, Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Ibadan, has called for caution and prayers over the ongoing legal tussle on the last governorship election in Oyo State.

He made the call on Sunday in Ibadan during the thanksgiving service to mark the annual press week of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Oyo State chapter.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event also featured special prayers for NAWOJ on its 30 years of existence.

Oke said that God had revealed to him that there were sinister moves and plans to cause chaos in Ibadan and the state generally over the Appeal Court judgment delivered recently on the last governorship poll.

“The recent judgment of the Court of Appeal on the last governorship election is neither here nor there. Even the lawyers are complaining, as both parties have been claiming victory at the court.

“The forces are only waiting for something sinister to happen at the Supreme Court. So God said we should pray for peace in the state.

“I am not for PDP and neither am I for APC. But I am for God and good governance in the state. I have told Gov. Seyi Makinde that if he fails to do what is right for the people, we will pray him out like we did for others.

“I have told him that what I need from him is good governance and he is trying his best. I have assured him that I will hold him by his collar to make sure he delivers to the people of Oyo state,” he said.

The cleric, who lamented the recent attack on one of the state commissioners, his driver and police orderly, said there was no political position that was worth any person’s blood.

“We don’t want that era again in Oyo state. So we are calling for prayers and we want God to show His superiority, and God will definitely do that.

“The prayer is not that of APC or PDP; it for the peace and progress of Oyo state. God has commanded me and the church to organise a three-hour fervent prayer for the state on Nov. 30.”

Speaking on the controversial hate speech bill, Oke described it as an error from the National Assembly, saying that Nigerians didn’t want such draconian laws from government.

He said such a law, with death penalty as punishment, was an attempt by government to silence the opposition and halt freedom of expression.

The cleric said: “Nigeria does not need such a draconian law. This is best seen as a means of stifling the opposition and freedom of expression in the country.”

Oke commended journalists for their efforts at enthroning democracy and good governance in the country, assuring that the church would join them in the fight against corruption and nepotism as well as defence of democracy.

Earlier, Mrs Jadesola Ajibola, the state NAWOJ chairperson, said that the thanksgiving was part of activities lined up to mark the 2019 press week.

She said that it was also an opportunity to present the association and its members before God to thank Him for His goodness, mercy and protection.

Ajibola, who recounted the numerous achievements of the association in the last one year of her administration, said that the event was remarkable, as it coincided with the 30th anniversary of the association. (NAN)