As a way of demonstrating clear fraternity with one of their members in government, Celestial Church of Christ in Ekiti State, has declared readiness to back the candidacy of Governor Biodun Oyebanji and his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye in the June 20 governorship election.
The church members expressed joy over the performance rating of Governor Oyebanji and the way he had operated frictionless with Mrs Afuye, who is a top ranking member of the church, since the advent of this government on October 16, 2022.
Besides total endorsement of the governor, the church leaders, promised to hold a statewide revival and thanksgiving to offer prayer supplications for Oyebanji and his Deputy to emerge victorious in the poll and for Ekiti to witness election bereft of crisis and bloodshed on June 20.
The CCC gave the declaration on Tuesday, during a courtesy visit of a powerful delegation of church leaders to the office of the Deputy Governor, in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State Capital.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, a high profile church member and former Ekiti State Acting Governor, Rt Hon. Tope Ademiluyi, disclosed that the entire celestial adherents were indeed proud of the outstanding humility and loyalty being displayed by Deputy governor to her boss.
Ademiluyi said the support for Oyebanji/Afuye joint ticket didn’t stem solely from the deputy governor’s membership of the church, but for the performance the two leaders have demonstrated in their first term, that was widely adjudged superlative by Ekiti residents.
“We are very proud of the Deputy Governor as a member of the celestial Church of Christ, ditto Governor Biodun Oyebanji. In fact, the two of you are a perfect match for governance. Everybody knows that the two of you are well behaved and humble individuals.
“We are happy that you have done well and nobody has ever had any cause to settle any rift between you. We have been in politics in this state for a while and we knew the happenings in the past. Your government has done well to the extent that the opposition was giving you credit and saluting you.
“In Ekiti today, nobody is being forced to endorse your second term ambition. It was being given freely. This is a hallmark of leadership.
“We are assuring you that on June 20, all the Celestial Church members that have reached adulthood will file out to vote for you. Your first term has been so excellent that the people were begging you to come and serve again. You have done well and we are confident that your second term will be better”.
Speaking for the youth wing of the church, Leader Yomi Oso, clarified that members haven’t committed any grave blunder for the endorsement, saying it was a clear way of supporting one of their own and show solidarity to a government that has performed creditably well.
Oso said the delegation comprises all the existing parishes in the state, which he said underscored how united the members were in their backing for the governor and his deputy.
In her submission, a member of the church and the Director General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Community Communication, Mrs Mary Oso Omotoso, added that the endorsement was freely given and not by coercion, saying other similar actions had been taken by some churches who have interest in the governor’s performance.
“The vision behind this is for Celestial Church members to show solidarity with one of their own. The Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye is a mother-in-celestial, who has done admirably well. We can’t afford to abandon her.
“We are not stopping at that, we will continue to help this government with prayers and that is the essence of the statewide prayers and thanksgiving that we are planning for the government”.
In his exhortation at the parley, the leader of the delegation, Assistant Most Superior Evangelist Akinola Abraham Aladeseye, appealed to the two leaders to continue to embrace love in their leadership, warning that no nation can grow when people are locked in perpetual enmity, acrimony and crisis .
Evangelist Aladeseye stated that the proposed statewide revival and prayers would attract members across the 16 local governments and would be a congregation of anointed church members and veritable platform to intercede for Ekiti’s liberation and greatness under Governor Oyebanji’s leadership.
Commending the celestial Church for the solidarity, the Deputy Governor, Mrs Afuye, declared readiness to serve selflessly, describing the endorsement as an impetus that would make her work more assiduously and committedly for radical transformation of the state.
Mrs Afuye promised not to betray the confidence reposed in her by the celestial Church nationally, saying she was quite aware of the high expectations from her spiritual leaders, which she vowed never to dash.
The Deputy Governor stated that her boss has ensured religious equality and tolerance since ascension of office, pledging that the government won’t discriminate against anyone on account of religious inclination.
“I am indeed joyous to be in your midst today. In fact, I appreciate this recognition for me and my boss. That I am part of you is a glory to the celestial Church in Ekiti and Nigeria. Governor Oyebanji honours and values your support and what you are doing today, you are really making history.
“The governor is not just doing well because he knows it all, it is your prayers that have sustained us this far. I beg you, go back to your individual churches and continue to pray for the success of this government. We are for you and the entire Ekiti citizens.
“I am proud to be part of you. Nobody can be listening to preachings in celestial churches and messed up if given any position in government. I am assuring you, I won’t disappoint you. On behalf of the governor, we appreciate this support and solidarity”.