Ahead of the 2027 presidential election, the Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Samuel Kanu Uche, has told younger presidential aspirants like Prince Adewole Adebayo, Kingsley Moghalu, Omoyele Sowore and others that what Nigerians would be looking out for is a candidate with the competence and capacity to deliver good governance and not the person’s age, religion or region.

In this interview, he spoke on such issues as the role of the church in politics, the worsening security situation in the country, the preparation for the 2027 general elections, the US-Israel-Iran conflict and assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration so far, among others.

Since independence in 1960, most of our leaders had often been the elderly except in the military government. When do you think we can get the young people to pilot the affairs this country? At the moment, younger aspirants like Prince Adewole Adebayo, Omoyele Sowore and others, are gearing up for next year’s election; do you think that they stand a chance?

I don’t want to mention names because that would make me partisan. But whether the candidate is old or young, all we need is good governance; we need someone who loves the country and who has its best interests at heart. I don’t condemn the older people because they have experience and I don’t equally condemn the younger ones because they have the dynamism. However, it is crucial that they have the love of the country and a desire to make it better, prosperous and peaceful. We need those who will govern us well, whether they are from the South, West, North or East. That is welcome as far as I am concerned. I have no preference except for candidates with a Godly heart.

The church is often said to be isolated from politics, a position some people believe has contributed to bad governance in Nigeria. Do you agree with such a position?

Politics is fundamentally about leadership, how to lead the people and organise society in an orderly way. In a historical sense, one could say the church is the mother of politics. Great empires like Rome and Alexander’s gave birth to modern political systems, but religion informed their moral fabric. The church is composed of human beings who are part of this country. So, because of that, they are inherently involved in the leadership of their nation. It should be their concern to see how the country is governed and how things are done. So, I believe the church is and has always been involved in politics.

If the church is truly involved, why does Nigeria still face a myriad of challenges?

Is there any country in the world without challenges? Challenges have existed since the world began. What we need is for those in authority to govern and lead the masses in righteousness. The Bible says righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. Our leaders must embrace justice, fairness and equity, and enthrone the rule of law; the law of the land and that of the international community. Without law and order, there is chaos.

The 2027 election is fast approaching and political activities are already underway. How can the church participate to ensure that we have servant-leaders, those who truly care, in various positions?

Before Nigeria gained independence, we had figures like Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Herbert Macaulay. Were they not Christians? And they were the champions of Nigeria’s democracy. The church has been involved in politics from inception and at this critical time, it will not relent but become even more involved. In fact, other people of faith, like our Islamic brothers, have also been in leadership because they are people who believe in the Almighty God. Those interested in the forthcoming elections should do things with the fear of God.

However, I believe Christians should be deeply involved, not as a corporate church, but as individuals. The people who make up the church should be greatly involved in politics, from the registration of political parties to congresses and primaries, ensuring that good candidates emerge. They should be concerned with rendering service, serving their country diligently and making a positive impact.

Insecurity has assumed a monstrous dimension, allegedly defying all solutions; what do you think should be done to get out of the mess?

I believe that when people have the love of their country at heart, insecurity will reduce. Unfortunately, much of this insecurity is sponsored by disgruntled politicians, all because they want to outsmart, outdo and run each other down. The bandits and hoodlums are sponsored. Remember what happened during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration? Insecurity was rampant because some people wanted him to leave the office. Currently, some people are importing bandits from West Africa to ensure the current administration is also ruined.

But, let me tell you a simple truth: my father used to say that, ‘If a hen drops its excreta on its eggs, it will ultimately soil both the eggs and itself, because the hen has to sit on them to incubate.’ In the same way, those sponsoring insecurity in Nigeria are shooting themselves in the leg. Insecurity in Nigeria is sponsored mostly by political heavyweights and people of ill will and unfortunately, they are using it to destroy the peace and harmony of the nation.

What is the way out for the common man who is at the receiving end and feeling the brunt of this insecurity?

There is a need for genuine repentance, not just from the followers, but from the political class, religious leaders and traditional rulers. We need to love our country and stop throwing stones from a glass house. If you live in a glass house, you don’t throw stones at another person. There must be a serious resolution not to cause the downfall of our nation. We need a change of heart and attitude. Once we do that, Nigeria will overcome its security challenges and there will be peace. But if we continue trying to outsmart each other for political reasons, the insecurity will persist.

Democracy is famously defined as ‘the government of the people, by the people, for the people.’ Another definition by the political scientist Harold Lasswell is that politics is about ‘who gets what, when, and how.’ If both leaders and followers have the fear of God, Nigeria will experience peace. But, if your goal is to disturb others, you will end up disturbing yourself. That is exactly what we are facing.

The United States of America (USA) and Israel are currently in conflict with Iran; a situation some prefer to call a religious war, with clerics taking sides. What is your take?

When nations overproduce weapons, they must find a way to sell or use them. America is a world power; Iran is rich in uranium and Israel is known for its military prowess. But we must understand that war does not pay any country. We can see its effects everywhere. The world is a global village, which is why the Middle East war has a spiral effect on goods and services globally; the cost of transportation has increased.

War is an ill wind that blows nobody any good. My plea is for them to come to the roundtable and stop the war. They should keep their weapons in storage and allow peace to reign. The international community should also create laws to stop nations from overproducing weapons of war, because if you produce them, they will inevitably be used, either as a means of generating income or as a means of aggression.

This war is not religious. If it were, countries like Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the UAE would be directly involved. This is about nations flexing their muscles, trying to determine who has greater power. They should sheath their swords and stop this unnecessary war.

What is your assessment of President Tinubu’s government after almost three years in office?

To the ordinary man on the street, good governance means food on the table, affordable education, affordable means of livelihood and access to social amenities. These are the things the masses are clamouring for. All the big figures and complex economic terms we hear on television, billions and trillions; how do they impact the common man? I appeal to the president, his administration, the governors and legislators to please do more to solve the people’s problems. Love your country. Listen to the heartbeat of the people you are leading. When you see citizens crying out in pain, pacify them and do things that will bring them relief. There must be respite for Nigerians. When this administration achieves that, everyone will be happy. On the other hand, Nigerians should have faith in their country, keep hope alive and genuinely love their nation, and everything will be well.

The Bible, in 1 Timothy 2:1-3, says: ‘Therefore, I exhort first of all those supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.’ Nigerians are quick to criticise, but we don’t always balance our criticism with constructive engagement. Our approach is often total condemnation. But, let’s be honest, even if you bring Jesus to rule Nigeria, some people will still find fault. (The Sun)