Hello,

How are things going with you? I know many of us are not smiling these days: no electricity, no fuel, and the heat is almost unbearable. These past few weeks have further entrenched my conviction that a major factor in ‘Operation Rescue Nigeria’ is ensuring that whoever we place in positions of authority, especially at the Federal Government level, believes in restructuring as a tenet of true federalism.

The past few weeks are again a testimony that if we want different outcomes, we must engage with the process to ensure that things are done differently this time. I know I may have shared a version of this statistic with you in the past. But did you know that in the 2019 elections, only about 30 million of the 80 million registered voters cast their votes? And then only about 15 million of these voted for the current president? 

Less than 20% of the registered voters in Nigeria made the choice we are all paying for. We would have been talking about how unfair this is in any other situation. But in this scenario, we can only say what you vote for is what you get. 

And so, this month, I have chosen a quick read, “Urgent Need to Save Nigeria. The Critical Role of Christian Leaders,” written by my good friend and father in the Lord, Pastor Femi Emmanuel. The book is just 66 pages, and it has a concise message: We all must be part of the process. Notably, he explains that Christian leaders must encourage church members to put themselves forward to be voted for and join parties at the grassroots level so that their ideal candidates get the party tickets.

This book is not about theory; it is something that Pastor Femi Emmanuel has lived, so he is sharing experiential knowledge. As he rightly said, ‘Operation Rescue Nigeria’ goes beyond prayers. Yes, there is always a place for praying, but prayer without works is futile. This is why the entire thrust of this book is about strategic participation in the political process.

If you can lay your hands on this book, find it and read it. 

These days, we see more people coming out and presenting themselves to run for one position or the other. This is applaudable as we are moving away from the days when politics was seen as so dirty that people who have made a name in different sectors of the economy keep away from it. But beyond presenting themselves they need to put in the work needed to build structures at the ward level—the person who ‘pays’ the party ward representatives ‘dictates the tune’. 

So now is the time for Christian leaders, indeed all people who are invested in ‘Operation Rescue Nigeria,’ to start thinking of being part of the political structure – Join a political party, attend the meetings, ensure you are there to be picked to participate in ward congresses and then be there to ensure the party presents your person. This is a long-term project, but the time to start is now. 2027 is already around the corner.

I wish this was one of those times I could tell you that I would provide a quick solution to ease my people’s pain. Unfortunately, it is not. But this is the hope I can offer; we can start talking to our friends and family. We can start getting the over 50 million Nigerians who did not vote in the last elections to come and join us in ‘Operation Rescue Nigeria’. This is our only hope. This is the only way forward.