By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
The Archbishop of Lagos Ecclesiastical Province, Anglican Communion, Dr Olusina Fape, Senator representing Ogun East in the 10th Senate, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and the 2023 governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, have declared that Nigeria is making headway despite her challenges.
Fape, Daniel and Adebutu spoke separately at the Abraham’s Tabernacle Sagamu, Ogun State during the 21st edition of the annual family thanksgiving service of Senator Daniel where the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Wale Oke functioned as the guest minister.
Bishop Fape who prayed for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and the nation’s 36 governors for more of God’s wisdom to the pilot the affairs of the country aright, expressed the strong faith that Nigeria would continue to flourish notwithstanding the security challenges posed by the activities of bandits and extremist groups.
According to the cleric who is also the Bishop of Remo diocese of the Anglican Communion, “God will fight our battles.”
He also declared in his prayer that “Ogun State will not be set on fire” over 2027 general elections.
However, speaking with newsmen after the service, Daniel said that the worst tis over for the nation, expressing the confidence that Tinubu is taking the country on the right course.
He said, “In recent times, we have seen clear efforts to address the problem of insecurity. At the beginning, inflation rose sharply, but we are now hearing that it is beginning to calm down. Despite these difficulties, we must continue to thank God Almighty, and we hope that this new year will be an unforgettable one in the annals of our country”.
“As for the message to these activists, let me say this: politicians are often accused of not telling the truth. What I told the church is this—I have held public office and interacted with our people for over 23 years. I became governor in 2003, and this is now 2026. In all these years, if no one has been able to point to a single lie I told or a statement that turned out to be false, then they should know how to judge me”.
“Nigeria, as I have said before, can only get better. The worst is over. I believe that gradually and steadily, things will continue to improve. When you look around—at this massive gathering—you will see that many people came on their own. Over 200 clergymen came together simply to pray for Nigeria. That tells me we are getting somewhere. I have no doubt in my mind that this year will be a good year”.
Reacting to general beliefs about deception and insinsererity of politics and politicians, Daniel confidently stated that not all political leaders are dishonest, citing his long-standing relationship with the people of Ogun State which dated back year 23 years.
He stressed that since his entry into politics and his emergence as Governor of the state in 2003, he has consistently toed the path of honesty as a politician, insisting that the people of the state can attest to his integrity and sincerity in public service.
“When I said not all politicians are liars, I speak from experience. I have been interacting with our people for many years. Since 2003, there is nothing I have said that they have found to be a lie. So they should know what to do with me.
“There are lies in politics, as we all know. However, if for over 20 years no one has been able to trace a single lie to a person, then it should be clear that such a person is on the right path. A word is enough for the wise. I thank you most sincerely”.
Daniel, who is the proprietor of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu/Otunba Gbenga Daniel Movement; a grassroots political mobilisation, formed to propagate President Tinubu-led administration’s policies and re-election however, charged Nigerians to Identify and follow politicians, who have proven to be trustworthy over the years.
In his own remarks, former federal lawmaker. Adebutu expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, urging citizens not to lose hope despite the current challenges facing the nation.
Adebutu, who maintained that God had being a God of grace and mercy that will intervene in the affairs of the nation, also expressed confidence that the situation would improve, assuring Nigerians that better days lie ahead and that all will ultimately be well.
“The time table for political activities will soon be out, this is a delicate time for the nation, particularly at this time when things are a bit difficult, but God is the God of grace and mercy, and I believe he will minister unto this nation such that things will get better and all will be well, we shouldn’t lose hope, better days are coming.
Earlier in his sermon, the guest preacher, ,Bishop Wale Oke, anchoring his sermon on the book of Psalms 50 vs 53 and the gospel Luke 17, described thanksgiving as the protocol of Heaven, urging Christians to cultivate the habit as a way of attracting divine favour.
Oke explained that thanksgiving moves the throne of God, adding that King David enjoyed abundant blessings, mercy and protection of God amid tribulations and wars because he was a man of gratitude for goodness to him.
