Politics

Buhari should not contest 2019 Election – Anglican bishop

Published

6 years ago

September 17, 2018

The Bishop of the Diocese of Ondo , Church of Nigeria ( Anglican Communion ) Stephen Oni , has said the nation needed a young and visionary person to become the next President of the country and urged President Muhammadu Buhari to drop his re – election bid in 2019 .
He lamented that some politicians in Nigeria had overstayed their time in office and refused to leave the political offices for the younger generation , identifying the trend as one of the problems the country was facing .

Bishop Oni stated this at the order of service for the investiture and installation of a new chancellor and other officials of the Cathedral Church of St Stephen, Oke -Aluko , Ondo , Ondo State.

At the ceremony , a Federal High Court judge , Justice Obayomi Taiwo , was invested as the Chancellor ; Mr Ayodele Akintunde ( SAN ) , as the Deputy Chancellor ; while Mrs Yejide Ogundipe and Mr Olu Adenodi were reappointed as registrar and deputy registrar respectively .

In his charge , titled, ‘ Responsibility , not title , ’ the cleric lamented the recycling of old politicians in power at all levels of government in the country, saying politicians go to any length to perpetuate themselves in power .

He said , “ They want to die in office . No wonder , people have thrown caution into the air , we could see impunity everywhere. Worthy legacy is not there , we are only recycling rust brains , they will come back again with their pictures when they give you N 1 , 000 with the popular chant to ‘ vote and cook soup ’ . “

“ I don’ t expect any 75 to 80 years old still in government, what are they doing there ? When will they give their children a place ? The age of youthfulness is between 25 , 30 and 40 ; who will want to employ in a bank a 75 – year – old man ?

“ Are we now saying a 75 – year – old should go to the National Assembly , what are they doing there ? We need young people who have aspirations and highly adventurous . So , let them allow them in . ”

On President Buhari intention to contest next year ’ s election , he said , “ He has his right to contest but my advice for him , if he will do it well , he should go home joyfully . ”