Claiming God's instruction is a common trend in Nigerian politics.
As the year 2018 begins so is the commencement of electioneering events in Nigeria. The proclamation of divine communications with God always dominate this stage, but all these anointed candidates lost the election in grand style.
Tunde Bakare, a pastor in Nigeria and running mate of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2011 General elections, told Nigerians that God has instrumented him to contest for the highest position in the country. With no appointed time he should.
“This twelfth one is a difficult one for me. It may draw excitement or condemnation. I have tried my best to keep it (to myself) but the Holy Spirit will not allow me to do so.
“In my study around 4 am on Sunday morning, God told me ‘you cannot bring your political career to a close; there is still more to do. Run for the Presidency. I will do it at the appointed time,” the pastor said.
An announcement of such is not new to Nigerians, but the prominence of this approach stands as a major concern for many. In Nigeria, there is a great relationship between politics and religion. To many political analysts, there are inseparable twins.
Here are candidates in Nigeria that have proclaimed divine instruction from God, but they were defeated in the contest.
1. Pastor Chris Okotie – Justice Party and Fresh Democratic Party (2003, 2007)
Chris Okotie was the first celebrity pastor to join any political contest in Nigeria. On the reason for this unpopular venture among men of God, he said: “God spoke to me about my participation in the political process, which was why I took the step in the first place. He has not said anything contrary.”
On this outing, he was only able to pull 119,547 votes placing him in 8th position out of 29 candidates that participated in the process. With this outcome, a lot of Pentecostal pastors called him out and asked him where his God was.
He also re-contested in 2007 under a newly formed party. He was only able to get just over one million votes from the people.
2. Alhaji Musa Ayeni - African Peoples Alliance (APA) (2015)
The little known Alhaji Musa Ayeni is another politician that have tried to sell the ‘God anointed pizza’ to Nigeria as he plans for his presidential ambition in 2015.
He was the candidate of African Peoples Alliance (APA) during the election. The Ekiti man informed Nigerians about God’s instructions to run for the highest political office in Nigeria.
"I came into the race because God directed me to contest the election. God told me categorically that I will succeed President Goodluck Jonathan and I believe what God says, hence, my resolve to contest the forthcoming presidential election," Ayeni said.
Mr Ayeni was a former deputy governor in the old Ondo state between 1990 and 1992.