Why Nigerians Must Trust Me, By Okotie, At Campaign Launch

Date: 3/11/2007

ONLY the government of Reverend Chris Okotie has the capacity to resolve all the energy and the Niger Delta crises once and for all, so declared the presidential candidate of Fresh Democratic Party, FPD, yesterday in Ajegunle, Lagos.

Speaking in pidgin English apparently to appeal to his audience made up of young people with some elderly persons during the flag-off of his presidential campaign in Ajegunle, a suburb of Lagos, Okotie said "every other name you hear today in the political horizon represents division.

"The people can trust me. A Rev. Chris Okotie's government would resolve the current energy and the Niger Delta crises once and for all, irrespective of religion and ethnicity, because they people can trust me," he said, adding that his government would immediately establish an independent power producing company to augment what the Obasanjo administration had managed to achieve in eight years.

Addressing the crowd that also included several musicians including Sunny Neji, Wadada, Blackky, Benita Okojie and many more, the erstwhile pop star promised to rejuvenate the music and movie industry in such a way that the entertainment industry will generate enough foreign reserve and give employment. He believes that there is no reason Nigerian sports men and women should go over to foreign lands when we can encourage them to maximize their potentials here in Nigeria.

Describing Nigeria's current politicians as 'Go Slow Be', the preacher turned politician promised to continue with the deregulation programme of the current government but, unlike the present administration, his government would introduce a human face to the well intentioned reform programme.

"It does make any economic sense for government to give Nigerians motorcycles (okada) if they will not get fuel to power those motor bikes for economic gains," he declared amidst shouts from the audience at the Maracana Stadium.

Nigerians have suffered for far too long amidst abundant human and material resources, he declared, pointing out: "Wen una vote for me and get to Aso Rock in May this year, I promise una here now that I go build hospitals, schools which go be free for every citizen because Nigeria get the money!"

Okotie, who is also the chairman of the party, then presented the party's flag to Lagos State gubernatorial candidate, Mrs. Uche Ibukun Ohimai, who immediately promised to ensure that formative education in the state is free.

The lady behind Chris Okotie...

The lady behind Chris Okotie...
'He's the best thing that has ever happened to Nigeria'

•Miss Sola Salako Photo: Sun News Publishing

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Miss Sola Salako is the National General Secretary of the Rev. Chris Okotie-led Fresh Democratic Party, (FDP).
In an interview with Daily Sun in Lagos, the FDP scribe debunked the impression that women in politics are always corrupt, wayward and irresponsible, saying the generalisation is unfair and unfortunate.

The lady, who says she is in politics to serve, is of the belief that the presidential candidate of her party, Rev. Chris Okotie is the best thing that has ever happened to Nigeria, enthusing that he will make the desired change.

She also spoke on other issues of national interest.

Excerpts
Politics
I believe everybody is a political being. And personally, I have been a politically conscious person. I have always been a political commentator. But now when the opportunity has presented itself for me to practise what I have always been complaining about, I decided to utilise the opportunity to do something about it.

Motivation
The motivation is simple. There is need for change in this country. I am a columnist and I write about consumers and the way they are treated in this country. And I write about the need for change.
So, if you are a Nigerian with a vision and focus for your life, you would know there is need for change in Nigeria. And we have all along been sitting down waiting for those in government to do the right thing and they are not doing the right things. And a lot of people are suffering because they are not doing the right thing.

That motivates me to stand up and do something. I cannot just sit down to see that happen. So, whatever I think I can do in my own little way, I am ready to contribute my quota to it.

Women in politics
It is what people have made women to be in politics that they are now. Women also are naturally political animals. We are the people who do something on behalf of somebody else to make life better for them. I have seen where women are just in position of responsibility and they have proved their mettles. This is because women know how to do things and get them done.

But luckily women are already coming into politics. The more we see women in the public making things happen, the more encouraging it would be for other women to come into politics.

African culture
You see, we may not necessarily be in the forefront. I am not contesting for any position right now, I am working to support a man who is contesting for a position. And I can do that very well. Women are not looking forward to be in charge. We are just looking for a way where we can be in position of responsibility to make things happen so that other people can do their job well.

So, I don't think whether they are in position of authority or that they are in forefront matters.

Women governor
If someone can come up and if the society can give us the opportunity to have a woman president or woman governor, why not?

I am not a gender focused person. I don't think of people in terms of their gender. I think of them first in terms of their personality and in form of their character before I think of them in form of their gender.
And I have not experienced gender discrimination in politics as a person because I am working with a person who is gender blind.

Alleged irresponsibility of women politicians
You can't just generalise. Okay? It depends on the person you are dealing with and what is that person's character and what is that person's personality and what is that person's focus in life.
I don't think anybody could look at me and think I am irresponsible. I have been a responsible woman and anybody who knows me knows I am very responsible.

And if I am to ask, why should you be irresponsible as a woman in politics? This is something that needs to be done and we just have to get it done. Is it irresponsible women that go to work in banks? Or women who work in whatever places they go to work?

Elective office
If the situation presents itself, maybe I will consider it. It is not something that I am looking forward to but I am more motivated to serve. That is all.

I just want to help to make a difference in the environment in which I live because I believe that is the way God has made every woman. We are supposed to make a difference at whatever level we found ourselves.

So, if the situation comes up that the only way I can make a difference is to contest for public office, maybe I would do it. But right now I am making a difference by helping to put together this political party and helping to make this political party work so that Nigerian people would taste what is true democracy.

Monetisation of polity
I am not comfortable with monetization of the polity. For me, money has never been a motivation for me personally. I am always motivated by what is right. In this situation, that is what should motivate you whether you are paid for it or not, it is not necessary.

And I don't see why anybody can use money to convince me to do something. I can't understand why should that be! I don't believe in money politics.

I believe God has endowed me with enough intelligence, with enough ability to be able to make life better for so many other people who are not as blessed as I am. That is the only motivation. Things should be done right whereby everything is fair and just. And everybody would be able to say, okay, I have got all what I can get in this environment.

But when you oppress people because you want to feel big, it is contrary to human nature. So, that alone is enough motivation for me.

Nigerians know what is good and what is wrong. What they need is a little persuation. But Nigerian people are cynical because the people that they have trusted have failed them.
You cannot live your life on what has happened to you in the past. You just have to make up your mind to say I am moving forward, I am going to make a wiser decision now. I am going to watch properly before I leap.

Rev. Okotie's aspiration
Thank God you can see that more credible people are coming out. So, anybody who knows Rev. Chris Okotie, who goes through his life and realises that he leads an upright life as much as it affects everybody around him, would know that somebody worthy is in the race.

People would now say, okay, this man can make a difference. People that have been giving you money, you look at their lives, they would have proven to you several times that they are not people to be trusted. Nigerians are getting wiser. And that is all we need.

We just have to explain to people and convince them that they need to get wiser and they are really getting wiser. And they have to believe that God can effect a change for them because it is not something any of us can do by ourselves.

Nigeria of my dream
Nigeria of my dream is a Nigeria where every Nigerian, just by the virtue of being a Nigerian, you matter. You know how it is in America where anywhere you are in the world, if there is any crisis and you stand up and say you are an American, the whole of American government is, in fact, behind you.

That is Nigeria of my dream.
Nigeria of my dream is Nigeria which I could be proud of and say I am a Nigerian because I will know that by virtue of being a Nigerian alone, the whole nation is behind me. And I will be very ready to do anything for my nation.

And to achieve that, Nigeria must first take care of me, provide for me, must think I am very important and must treat me like an important person. I am a consumer advocate and that is what I do as a right. Every consumer has a right to be treated well. And all of us are consumers. Whatever you are consuming, be it government, human relations or whatever, we have a right to be treated well than how people treat us now.

So the Nigeria of my dream is where that green passport is what you carry with pride because you know you are being taken care of and there is provision for your child, there is provision for your future and there is structure that works.

NIGERIA'S PRESIDENCY - PASTOR OKOTIE TO THE RESCUE? by Alfred Obiora Uzokwe

 I was a 2nd year student at the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus in 1978, when Chris Okotie joined the school to study law along with the likes of Jide Obi (the former musician) and Tagbo Ike (now a trial attorney in Enugu). While some of Chris' classmates like Tagbo Ike immediately started showing signs that gave a glimpse into their passion for law, nothing in Chris Okotie's demeanor or disposition revealed any such passion for jurisprudence; his interest seemed to lie elsewhere. The lanky and very dark six footer was very soft spoken, with a disposition that sometimes came across as shyness.

In the student common room right opposite the cafeteria we called "old ref", was an old church organ on the mezzanine floor level. When other students came in there to unwind, have some snacks and socialize, Chris Okotie would quietly go up to the mezzanine floor and start playing the organ and singing away. He had a sonorous if not velvet voice that seemed to effortlessly glide from one musical scale to the other, rising in crescendo and going down in diminuendo at the right time. I admired that talent and I was amazed at his piano playing and singing abilities not knowing that he was also an accomplished guitarist!

Not many in the campus thought too much about all these until some time in 1979 when Chris seemed to disappear from school for quite sometime. Rumor was rife about his disappearance; some said he had withdrawn from school because he could not handle law studies while others surmised that he had gone to London to record music. The latter surmise did not seem very realistic considering the fact that at that time, the only college music group that had successfully transitioned into the national scene was a music group called "Ofege" of St. Gregory Lagos.

Chris shocked the entire campus and the nation when in the summer of 1979, he released a popular album aptly titled "I Need Someone". By the time school restarted in September of 1979, he had become a national star and music lovers (including me) saw him as a trailblazer. Some of my musically-inclined classmates like Emeka Nwandu, Chudi Anisiobi, Arinze (we called him Ari Arc) and Edozie Ifeanacho had started sharpening their music skills in readiness for going national, they even formed a campus band called TIXIE and performed on campus. I had commenced guitar lessons then under the tutelage of Emeka Nwandu and even before I could perfect my guitar playing skills, I made a demo tape and went to Odion Iruoje of EMI records at Oregun. Why not? I thought, afterall Chris had blazed the trail and we could all now follow. Jide Obi had gradually started working on his own musical ambition which later culminated in the release of the album entitled "Tonight" under Tabansi records label.

Anyway, as Chris hit the national scene, he earned himself a high profile in the school environment and the nation at large and would always be seen on campus ground cruising around in a reddish brown Honda he had acquired with an inscription on the license plate that read "KRIS". He later moved into the hostel I was staying in called IJ or Kenneth Dike hostel and Tina who later became his wife, was a regular there.

Chris shocked the dickens out of many when he suddenly left the country with Tina and came to the States; that was after we had all graduated and left Enugu campus. It was said then that he had abandoned music and I was wondering if the guy was crazy to abandon his claim to fame? But one day in either late 1986 or early 1987, on a Sunday morning, I was driving through Surulere Lagos near Akerele street when I saw signs that read: "Expect a Miracle" all over a building that seemed like a public hall. All manners of young men and women were trouping out of the hall. When I asked what was up, I was told that Chris Okotie was holding his church service there. I was surprised because for one thing, I did not know he had returned from the USA and secondly, I was unaware of the fact that he had become an ordained minister of God. It surprised me that someone with his proclivities would want to be a registered "man of God" with its attendant headaches. He however went on to establish a viable ministry with a substantial followership in Oregun, Lagos.

Late last year, Chris announced that he had separated from Tina, his wife of 20 years. When I heard this, I once again wondered how he was going to weather the storm of controversy that usually surrounds the divorce of a minister? I also wondered if this would affect the allegiance of the members of his church to him. Apparently as before, he once again scaled those problems in flying colors because even though a lot of questions were asked, it never seemed like he lost his follower-ship.

Just a couple of days ago, Pastor Chris Okotie, the founder of the Household of God Ministries announced to the Vanguard newspaper and the nation that he was going to run for the presidency of Nigeria come 2003! This has generated a new round of discussions about what he might be up to. Some dismissed it as " a punch drunk dream", they say he is not ready for prime time. Personally, I would say, never put anything past Chris Okotie because he would commit all necessary resources to get at his objectives. In the past, anytime people discounted him, he always had a way of rising to the challenge. Just when we thought he had left the music business and his claim to fame had vanished with the wind, he became a pastor, commanding the allegiance of thousands of UPPITY Nigerians. A guy we all perceived in 1978 as soft-spoken almost bothering on shy, turned into a verbose, dynamic speaker who mesmerized his congregation every Sunday with his sermons laced with highfalutin language.

I am happy to see that a fellow lion (University of Nigeria alumni) has such bold aspirations and I doff my hat for Chris for even having the temerity to nurse that type of ambition. It is certainly his prerogative and I wish him well. I must however caution that the duties of the presidency of Nigeria are very different from the duties of a pastor. When asked by Vanguard papers what gave him the impetus to aspire to the presidency, he said he has done well shepherding people in his ministry and would replicate the same success as the President of Nigeria. I beg to differ here, in a church ministry, the congregation swallows hook line and sinker what the pastor says because it is the right thing to do. The presidency is not the same; people would question your actions, motives and results, and ask for your ouster if there are shortcomings. That is not the same in a ministry where the congregation is even ready to forgive the most egregious sins and stick up for the pastor. This was evident in the case of Pastor Jimmy Swaggart whose ministry stuck with him until he proved that he could not jettison his unsavory proclivities.

Also, Chris' penchant for public display of his wealth would be viewed with contempt in Nigeria's political scene. As a nation where many are still suffering under the heavy burden of poverty and hunger, if he wears those Armani suits twice, eyebrows will go up.

So what kind of President would Pastor Okotie make?

With Pastor Okotie at the helmsmanship of Nigeria, we would have to buckle up and be ready to get into the funky era. He likes to shatter institutionalized beliefs and go the modern way, sometimes too modern. In his church, women attendees enter the church without hats as is uncharacteristic of Nigerian churches. Men wear hats into the church unlike what we were told that it was a sign of respect to God for men to have their hats off in church. Women wear spaghetti tops and very short skirts and you could even sometimes see one of the men leading his praise worship ministry with his hair braided like a lady, yes you heard right, braided. Of course by Western standards, this may not mean a thing, but it is certainly generating discussions in Oregun and Lagos as a whole. I guess therefore that in the same spirit, if he becomes the President, he would declare that all bets are off and the era of laissez faire government would earnestly commence! Like what you are reading so far? Buckle up, there is more….

He likes to dress flamboyantly in designer suits and shoes, riding in flashy cars and the likes. So as the President of Nigeria, when he goes to State visits outside the country, we would have to contend with the fact that a separate jet has to ferry his extensive wardrobe like that of Imelda Marcos of Philippines. Also, I envisage a situation where during White House reception in his honor as our President, he would excuse himself at least three times during the ceremony in the Rose garden to change into fresh clothing. Sound far-fetched? Well, it happened during the Karis award ceremony/church service in Lagos tagged G.R.A.C.E early last year. The ceremony was used to honor Nigerian labor leader Michael Imoudu and five others; before the ceremony was over, Pastor Okotie was reported to have changed his clothing three times! At first he wore a four-button navy blue suit and later changed into a knee-length seven button tuxedo. For the finale, he changed into a five button cream suit. Even by western standards, for a Pastor, that was a little too much considering the fact that some of the poor people who also contribute to the coffers he was dependent on for his ostentatious living, were present in that ceremony. It seemed more like a fashion show for the venerable minister than what it should be.

As soon as he gets into the office of the President, he would release money for the construction of architectural marvels all over Nigeria as he did his church in Oregun Lagos. This will keep architects and engineers happy because work will be in abundance and money will trickle down to everyone. He would establish minimum acceptable levels of aesthetics for buildings designed for construction in Nigeria. I would intensify my building design work and ensure that the aesthetics of my designs, give the Nigerian landscape an "out of the world" look and appeal.

He would be quick to call to order Nigerians who in his opinion do not take the moral high road. He recently did that to his fellow Pastor, Oyakhilome. According to Pastor Okotie, Oyakhilome was fellowshipping with Pastor Temitope Joshua whom Chris feels is not a man of God because according to him, Joshua did not derive his powers from God.

If his political opponents criticize him, he would go to the police and lodge complaints that they are out to get him. This happened when Pastors Oyakhilome and TB Joshua responded to him in kind after he had criticized them. He sent a letter to the police chief that he had information on a plot for his elimination by his foes.

His address to the nation or interviews with the press will be filled with highfalutin language and most Nigerians would need the help of dictionaries to decipher what he is saying. The address would start with something like this " Good evening fellow Nigerians, according to the philosophy of existential presupposition, …cuculus non facit monarchum…we would build domicilliary edifices for all Nigerians…." Many a times, his sermons at the Household of God church sound like that. Even when he talks to the press, sometimes they have to ask him to explain some of the words he uses and he would aptly respond " it is in the dictionary"

He may decide to use his music to win acceptance by addressing the nation through his song. Why not? He has the voice, he has the talent and certainly a lot of UPPITY Nigerians will love it and would come to his aid in a heartbeat!

Pastor Okotie would release funds for the acquisition of luxury and flamboyant cars for the Presidential fleet and order a redecoration of the presidential jet. This will be in line with the fleet of flamboyant cars he currently drives around Oregun Lagos. His followers have no qualms about that, Infact some have been quoted as saying that he displays his wealth "in a godly manner"

If every other thing fails, Pastor Okotie would bring about a miracle; the miracle would change the hearts and minds of all Nigerians to become good citizens, be disciplined without corruption and nepotism, attend to their civic duties, eschew jumping of queues in banks or petrol stations. Inotherwords, he would do through miracles, what Buhari and Idiagbon tried to accomplish forcefully through the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) program.

On a serious note, I have learnt never to underestimate Chris Okotie, he knows how to marshal out the necessary resources to vigorously pursue his goals; what still remains to be seen is what he would do when politics and dirty tricks (as Ross Perot would say) commence during the electioneering campaign? Does he have the intestinal fortitude to handle critics considering that at that time, everything he has ever done would become fair game for criticism: his divorce, his flamboyance, his penchant for public displays of wealth, his grandiloquence and other issues?

Also, Pastor Okotie must understand that 2003 would be an issues dominated campaign, no more free passes for politicians. Anyone aspiring to elected office MUST demonstrate excellent knowledge and mature understanding of the issues and problems facing Nigeria. The person MUST outline viable proposed solutions and tell the nation why he/she feels that those proposed solutions would work. We would no longer allow the idea of " vote me in first and then I would learn what the problems are later" That has been the bane of Nigeria as a nation and we must exorcise the demons that have encouraged us to allow such things to characterize our polity. He must be ready to submit himself to townhall meetings where ordinary Nigerians would ask questions on issues that perturb them and he must offer viable answers that show seriousness. As I stated earlier, it is the prerogative of any Nigerian under our democracy to run, but they must now meet out litmus test if they want to be elected.

HERE I STAND!

PRESIDENCY 2007: Why we will win, says Chris Okotie,

PRESIDENCY 2007:  Why we will win, says Chris  Okotie,

CHARISMATIC preacher, Reverend Chris Okotie may not have won the last presidential elections in 2003 but his informed, intelligent arguments during the presidential debates won him millions of admirers across the country, especially the youths, who see him as a role model. This was evident when he flagged off his campaign for the 2007 presidential elections recently, most youth organisations in the country were ably represented at the Lagos Sheraton launch. If that was indicative of his popularity, then, this chief campaigner for generational shift in governance is a man to beat. Noting the upbeat mood around his campaign organisation, we asked him about his chances, he said he was sure because professional election riggers would be disgraced, stressing that he would not be intimidated by the entry of IBB, Buba Marwa, Atiku Abubakar. "They are ordinary men like you and I," he intoned. Excerpts...  During the just concluded PFN biennial conference, you tended to accuse the Church of not doing sufficiently enough to make this country attain nationhood. What informed that? Well, we have discovered that a lot of Christians are not very well informed as to God's mind concerning nationhood. They do not understand their involvement in the political process, their responsibility towards God and to the nation and that is why it was necessary for me to speak on that topic. Particularly the fact that it was an assembly of ministers so that they would in turn take it to their congregations and then the world will spread and we will be better prepared in 2007. Was that because of your experience in 2003? It appears that the major problem you had then was the Church. Many church leaders were questioning your claim to be called by God... It was just the fact that they did not understand that a minister could become a politician. When we met at the highest level of the PFN, it was a split decision, because there were some people, the older pastors, who felt that we should give the president another opportunity to right the wrongs, and maybe, accomplish some of the projects that he had begun. And there were others who had a contrary view. So, at the end of the day, we didn't have a consensus. The younger pastors, mainly were with me and the others were sentimental about it, and I understood. But it wasn't a question on the fact that they didn't want me to do it. It was the fact that some of them didn't understand if it was possible, if it was biblically acceptable that a pastor would take that position of responsibility. But we've gone far beyond that because they now know clearly that David was a minister, yet, he was king. Solomon was a minister, yet he was king and Jesus will always be the high priest of God and when He comes, He is going to be a politician. He's going to be a world leader. He's not going to be preaching any gospel. We've gone beyond that now and for the first time, our house is together. How are you going to contend with  people like Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and Prophet T.B. Joshua? I can assure you that if you were to take somebody to those names and ask them if Rev. Chris Okotie can lead this country, their answer will be in the affirmative. Because they know me and they know that I was not antagonising them for personal reasons. And I am very persuaded that they will tell their congregations to vote for me. What have you learnt from the experience of 2003? Number one, that most of the leaders in this country are not really leaders. They are just men who have found political visibility like co-incidence of activities and they do not care about this country. What you have is a family political dynasty; I become governor, I arrange for my son to become governor, my son arranges for his son to become governor and it becomes a political tree. Not because you're qualified, not because you love Nigerians, not because Nigerians desire you. So, I discovered that it was just a game and that most of the people that we talk about and hear about are the ones poisoning the water from which the flock will drink.  And that experience further strengthens my resolve to deliver the Nigerian people because now, I know from experience that that's the way it is. Not just reading about it, but I've met these men one-on-one and I realised that they have nothing to offer this country. It's just a game of intrigue, how much money you have, what is at stake for you financially, what you are there to gain. The Nigerian people do not appear in the list of priorities. Having that in mind, how are you going to tackle these problems to ensure that  you winn the  2007 presidential election? I have a Godfather, my Father is God and He is the only true Godfather and He works with me in this matter because He loves the Nigerian people. But the thing about it is that every system of oppression has been dismantled by the Almighty God. He made man a free moral agent and as long as you tamper with his free will, you antagonise the divine will. In 2007, things are going to be different because the Nigerian people will be ready. They say you can fool the people most of the time, not all the time. So, Nigerians know what it is now and they've been looking for a leader that will lead them to that place of emancipation because there has been no trusted leader. I mean, think about all the names that have been touted. Who amongst them has any credible political credential to lead Nigeria? There's none, and I do not mean to disrespect them. But the truth of the matter is that when Chris Okotie emerged in 2003, people went to vote, they did. That's why the election was rigged. The poor people knew in 2003 that there was nobody else but myself because they had sampled opinion around the nation and they knew that the nation was ready for a change and the only viable candidate that they could trust was myself. So they panicked and that's why they did what they did. This time around, we are prepared for them and I say it responsibly. If any one tampers with the electoral process, it will be equivalent to saying you do not want Nigeria to exist any more because we are not going to sit back and say, for the sake of our democracy, for the sake of this and that. You believe in democracy. Do you believe in the democratic instruments on ground today? I believe in those instruments, but they are not properly located and the configuration is not right. As instruments themselves, they are necessary and viable in a political process but it's just the way they are being handled. For instance, in the last election, we had ballot boxes that were so mobile. So, in 2007, we are going to have the kind of boxes that are going to be stationary. We are going to change the format to ensure that we don't have a repeat of the vandalism that we saw in 2003. There are some things that need to be changed, turned around. The composition of INEC, for instance, and the source of revenue and things like that. Those things have to be changed because somebody has to be established to monitor the election. So, it's just the composition of INEC. In Sociology, it is called a quango. A quango is a body set up by the government to administrate, oversee and hear out public service and it gets its finance from government. It is appointed by government. Once you have a quango overseeing a political process, it's not going to work. What nature of changes are you envisaging? Number one, the organisation will represent the Nigerian people. It will not be appointed by government. As long as they are appointed by government, they will do the bidding of the government. That is natural and normal. So, we are going to make sure that the composition of INEC/the people who are in INEC, are independent people, selected or elected by the people. This time, it has to be appointed in such a way that they are not appointed at state level as we have this confab. Not anything in the sort. Different interests in the country will be represented by those interests electing their own representatives. Number two, INEC will be positioned in a place where they do not need governmental authorisation to do whatever they want to do. That is very important, because a lot of times, they say they are handicapped because money has not been released for this and for that. So that before the process begins, that money is already deposited in an account with signatories that will come out of this group that we are talking about. And so, we'll have the kind of oversight from international communities at fixed places where you have fixed ballot boxes so that when elections are done, they are counted right there in the presence of the people. You are not going to take it to another place because you can't move it. There are people who are already calling for parliamentary system of government because they believe that the presidential system is too expensive and because of that, some peple are deliberately cut out of the process. Do you subscribe to that? I do not subscribe to that view. I believe in the presidential system, because it was patterned after the scripture and the Bible says so in the book of Isaiah, that the Lord is our judge, which speaks of our judiciary; the Lord is our lawgiver, which speaks of the legislature; the Lord is our King which speaks of the executive. Then He says He will save us. So, it's the tripartite dispensation of the Almighty God,  as judge, lawgiver and executive that will determine the salvation of the people who serve Him. And I think that's what we have here. What is going on is that we do not have people who understand political modality. So, many times, what you are supposed to benefit from a system is overshadowed by personal agenda so that you are not actually running a government, you are running a private estate with members of your own family. Because if you were running a government, everything is budgeted. I do not think that presidential system is too expensive, it's just the way it's run now. Those who are running the system now are the ones who are profiting. And I'm saying that when I become president, it will be tailored to the needs of our people. Every government must be tailored to the needs of the people. It does not stand in isolation. There's a connectivity between government and the people because it is government that is supposed to execute policies that will save the people. So, I am saying that when you have all of these appointments that are unnecessary duplication of appointments, you will have a government that is wasteful. And the amount of money that is needed to run a government is just unrealistic when you look at it in the Nigerian context. I received a report the other day and I was seeing the way that Nigeria is going. Even with oil revenue by the year 2007, oil revenue will not be enough to fund recurrent expenditure. There are many countries that run the presidential system and they are not as prodigal as ours. I understand from the report that the same contract that is awarded in Ghana, when awarded here, we pay over 150 per cent increase by inflation. So it's not that the presidential system does not work, it works for America. It can work here and I think it will best represent what we are, unity in diversity. But some people still harbour some doubts about your person... The thing about it is approach. Before I became a recording artiste in 1980, they said it was impossible to sell music in Lagos. They told me it was impossible to beat Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey in the city of Lagos because the city was for juju musicians and all that. And I said that's not true and I did it. People categorise Nigerians without any data. Conventions are things that we allow, given certain circumstances. What you need to do if you want to change people is change the environment. Before God brought Adam and Eve, He created an environment. Once you change that environment, those people can no longer function. You are not going to take those people and throw them out of the city, you just change what is around them. And once the environment that feeds on that depravity is changed, they can no longer function. It's like taking an unrighteous man and putting him in heaven. He can't function. So, I am telling you that this same Nigeria that they say is not possible, we will turn it round.  In Economics, there's a concept that is called finicsism, when a company is totally bankrupt and a receivership has been made on it, it's now given to another board of directors. The same board of directors probably just brings another chief executive. He uses the same company, the same tools that his predecessors have and revives that same company. It is called Economic finicsism because it's a reference to that bird who burnt itself and rises from its own ashes. I believe in political finicsism, that you can take the same people. Like this same world, when Jesus came, He didn't change the world, He just changed the environment by creating righteousness. You are specifically targeting the youths, what about the womenfolk? People believe it's the women who will decide the next leader of the country... Once you target the young people, you target the women because they are their mothers and they want to see their children prosper. No woman carries a child for nine months and sees that child becomes a vagabond or is shot by an insensitive government or ends up in jail. The cry of every mother is to see her child become something and that's what Rev. Okotie is going to do for their children. And so when they see that our desire is to better the lot of their children, they will stand with us. Because these men whose names are being touted have made promises to the women before and failed on several occasions, the women in this country are not foolish, they know the right person to follow. I am very sure that when that time comes, Rev. Chris Okotie is the one that they will follow. Do we really have need for a generational change in this country? The reason why we say so is that when you look at their career, they started in their 30's, they are now in their mid-60's towards 70's and they it is to lead a country like Nigeria. We must move away from that generation to a generation that is not jaundiced, is not contaminated, is not connected to them in any way. We give Nigeria a fresh start, that's why our organisation F.R.E.S.H. is relevant at this time. Are you the messiah we are looking for? If you are looking for a messiah, then you have found one. I speak respectfully because I realised that some of these men that we speak about are older than I am and they have been in positions of authority. So, I respect them to that extent. But you know and every Nigerian who will read this article know that these men represent the past. They have nothing beyond the past. They are incapacitated. Every period of history is determined by Almighty God and He puts that timing between the genes of the people that's why you have the word generation. It comes from genes. Within our genes are the chromosomes, the necessary divine generation that will make Nigeria what it is going to be. These men don't have it. They are expired in their thinking. It will take somebody like Rev. Chris Okotie because I have the compassion. I'm a servant of God, therefore, the servant of the people. They can trust me. They can rely on me, they can depend on me. So if that makes me a messiah, so be it. You are not intimidated by names like IBB, Atiku, Marwa and so on? Not at all. They are ordinary men like us. I respect them because of where they were but they are ordinary men. It is God who brings deliverance to the people. It is God who effects the emancipation of the people and I'm working for Him. These men have done what they can do, they have nothing else to offer this nation and I say that respectfully. They know it themselves, their followers know it. Nigerian people know it. They are only hoping that they will be able to rig elections and I'm telling them that that will be their biggest nightmare, because if they try it, they are going to face challenges that they have never faced before. Recently, the South-South political zone resolved to present a presidential candidate come 2007. Are you going to represent the South-South? I come from the South-South. I identify with the aspirations of the people. Their agitations are legitimate, they are authentic. To wherever I go, I'm an ambassador of the South-South but I'm not asking for the presidency just because I'm a South-South indigene. I have a pan-Nigerian philosophy. I'm a Nigerian. I love Nigeria and I'm loved all over this country whether it's in the North, South, West or East. People know me. But I believe that the time has come for the presidency to come out of the South-South because that's the only geo-political zone that has not produced a president since independence. So, that is to my advantage. Now, if the South-South Assembly endorses my candidacy, praise God for that. But I'm going to do it whether anybody endorses it or not. How rich is Rev. Chris Okotie? Rich enough to vie for the office of president. But you see, the thing about all of these men you are talking about, they might have money as individuals but we have the people. By the time 10, 15, 20 people put their money together, we can handle them. But we are not even going to play that game of money politics because that's not what we want to do. We are just going to show them that they are ordinary Nigerians like us. They are not going to get away with it this time. Is the true that plans are afoot for you to reconcile with your wife? Oh yes. We have never really been antagonistic towards each other. We have just been trying to tell her to come back home. And she has stated her position that she doesn't want to return to this country for so many reasons. But she is not as rigid as she used to be because time has a way of changing your perception. So, there's hope. I mean, I'd love to have her back. She is still my best friend and we'll still take care of each other. But her problem has always been location. So it's possible. There's hope. What is your opinion about the political reforms conference that is going on? My views are pessimistic when it comes to government because of the infidelity in government. They are not promise keepers. They say one thing, they do another. I do not believe that anything can come out of it, except a miracle and this government haven't had any lately. But that's my view and it's because of the experience we have had within them. As for the PRONACO, this is a democracy. They should be allowed to assemble wherever they want to and to discuss. I think it's a good thing that a group of individuals want to come together and talk about our nation. And so if government has nothing to fear, why are they so worried about it. They should respect them, it's their constitutional right. You are aware that your former party, NDP has adopted IBB as their candidate... They have always wanted IBB. That's the problem in the party and that was why I lost the ticket of that party in the first place. Nobody, takes any recognition of whatever they say because they have always been hooked on to the apron strings of IBB. It does show that we are still dealing with people who do not understand the reality of the present Nigerian state. But they are at liberty to assemble with whoever they want to. I told NDP at that time that if you don't walk away from recycled leadership, this party will lose. But you know how they are, they are sentimental.

Kris Okotie wins Presidency via Polls

PRESIDENTIAL aspirant on the platform of FRESH Party and Head Pastor, Household of God Ministries, the Reverend Chris Okotie, yesterday, emerged first in the second phase of the National Popularity Poll: "Who Do You Want To Be The Next President" jointly organised by Silverbird Group and Vanguard Newspapers. He polled 31.17 per cent of the total votes cast.

In the results released at the corporate headquarters of Silverbird Group in Lagos, Governors Sam Egwu (Enugu) and Orji Kalu (Abia) came second and third with 13.38 per cent and 11.77 per cent respectively.

Two former Heads of State, Generals Muhammadu Buhari and Ibrahim Babangida, came last with Babangida garnering 3.42 per cent to emerge 9th and Buhari with 3.40 per cent in the 10th position.

Announcing the result audited by Akintola Williams Delloite, Mr. Chris Konyils said while Rivers State governor, Dr. Peter Odili, came forth with 8.76 per cent, Federal Capital Territory Minister, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, came fifth with 8.69 per cent.

Cross River State governor, Mr. Donald Duke, scored 7.27 per cent to place sixth, while the Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Dora Akunyili, got 6.79 per cent to emerge seventh and another presidential aspirant and Director of Lagos Business School, Prof. Pat Utomi, scored 5.38 per cent to place eight.

Mr. Konyils said: "The Silverbird and Vanguard teamed up a few months ago to embark on an electronically-conducted poll to ask Nigerians to choose a reputable Nigerian from any work of life who has the credentials to be the next President of Nigeria. The participation has been overwhelming and about 150 names were nominated at the beginning before the last 10, namely Prof. Dora Akunyili, Gen. Ibrahim Babaginda, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Mr Donald Duke, Dr Sam Egwu, Mallam Nasir- el Rufai, Dr Orji Kalu, Dr Peter Odili, Reverend Chris Okotie and Prof. Pat Utomi emerged.

"The second phase lived up to billings and text messages came from all over the country. A system to stop multiple voting was configured and it was one phone number, one vote only. So if the same phone number was ever used again to participate, such text messages were regarded as null and void. So at the end of it all and a careful and meticulous audit by Akintola Williams Delloite, I have the privilege to announce to you the results of the polls from an ascending order: (I) General Mohammadu Buhari— 3.40% of the total number of text messages received; (2) General Ibrahim Babangida—3.42%; (3) Prof Pat Utomi—5.38%; (4)Prof. Dora Akunyili— 6.76%; (5)Mr. Donald Duke—7.27%; (6)Mallam Nasir el-Rufai—8.76%; (7) Dr. Peter Odili—8.76%; (8) Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu—11.38%; (9) Dr. Sam Egwu—13.38% and (10) Rev. Chris Okotie—31.17% which is the highest number polled."
The next stage of the poll will feature only the first five in a debate. The debate will be broadcast live on television.

__________________
 

Pastor Chris Okotie, founder of Household of God, Oregun, Lagos , is another firebrand preacher that often sends his audience into ecstasies. He is also known for televangelism but with bias for preaching the end times which he titles The Apocalypses. In his messages, Okotie reveals a knowledge of the book of revelations beyond the ordinary.

Fondly called "Grace teacher" by the multitude of his f ollowers, Okotie's teaching tend to evoke reactions more than edifying his listeners. His latest book, The Last Outcast, which he claims are revelations from God attest to his controversial teachings. The book has raised a palpable degree of dust among Christians because of its spiritual explanations on cloning, polygamy, the church, the anti-Christ, the virgin birth of Jesus Christ and more.

HIS life appears to have been built in compartments – all with a price – the price of fame. Undoubtedly, he has a likeable aura and raffish looks. He has a gift of presence and eloquence. These traits serve him well and have become added assets to his present calling. That seems to be why he has been through so many things before now. Even now, his name has become something of a lightening rod in the air, something that evokes different images – positive and negative in almost equal measure.

Rev. Chris Okotie, Senior Pastor of the Household of God Church is one name that can inspire and at the same time ruffle few feathers.

It's all part of his life, a life lead in different measures. As an undergraduate, at University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Kris (now Chris) said he sold buttons and colourful mufflers in the coal city market of Ogbete as a survival strategy. He claims also he had been in wholesale trade in Hausa special tea. That perhaps was one of the reasons he was recently appointed patron of late Mallam Aminu Kano International Foundation. His involvement in pop music with a debut album: I need someone made him a popular personality and for women, Okotie became something of bees to honey. None of these pastimes of his put our personage into any serious controversy. But this one-politics has.

The very moment he steps out of the bully pulpit of the clergy world, into the slippery pole of politics, expect a tempest. That exactly is what Rev. Okotie caused in 2003, when he declared he had divine inspiration of "The Lord spoke to me that I will be President." It was a vision he said he saw way back in 1999. That divine inspiration failed him or the system, failed him, when he contested for the presidency on the platform of the Justice Party (JP) in the last general election.

Ever since then, he never quite believed he lost the contest. He believes he was a victim of a fraudulent electoral process. His ideas about politics are congenial to his faith and dreamed up in his vision which only him can tell. It continues to propel him to launch a fresh campaign for the most coveted political office in the land. It's through Nigeria F.R.E.S.H – the platform upon which he articulates his philosophy for governance.

Everyone who has cared to listen to Rev. Okotie says he comes across as a faith portrait of where Nigeria should have been, and the kind of man Nigerians should have had, as their President. Many will certainly disagree with him.

But, Rev. Okotie insists his interest in the well-being of people who are marginalised is a driving force. This is opposed to that of God. That, he will tell you, "is why every institution of oppression in the world has to be dismantled by divine instrumentality!" Nigerians, he adds, "have cried to God and have asked for His intervention. He sees himself as the person who has received God's support to rescue Nigerians and Nigeria. "That's the difference between me and other politicians," they have the strength of men, (but) I have the strength of Almighty God." He therefore sees himself as the solution to most problems – poverty, corruption, budget irresponsibility, and above all, the leadership crisis.

But politics doesn't lend itself to such simple theorising, as Rev. Okotie thinks. However, he believes like President W. Bush has done to great advantage, using faith to build his ambition. That is America.

This is Nigeria, the country and citizens Rev. Okotie hungers to become their President. That's the difference. That's his main problem. How many share in his faith? Even within his own Pentecostal circle, Rev. Okotie recently caused a big tempest in Enugu where the Alliance for Democracy (AD) decried what it alleged was a plot by Rev. Okotie to use the church as a platform for the realisation of his presidential ambition.

Indeed, Okotie was in Enugu last weekend for the biannual conference of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), South East zone. There, he saw the opportunity to visit some Pentecostal Churches and canvass support for his ambition in 2007. Chieftains of AD in the zone were furious by what they called "unethical and ungodly" act of Okotie. They said the man of God turned the church pulpit into a political campaign. He must stop, they maintained, and urged him to separate politics from religion.

National Vice-Chairman of AD in the zone, Okechukwu Obiora went a step further to say that the behaviour of Rev. Okotie amounted to a "desecration" of the House of God." He said it was wrong for politicians to use the altar to canvass for votes. Listen to Obiora: "I am here to say that it is very unethical for church leaders to take a presidential aspirant to churches and introduce him to our congregation, as our presidential candidate for 2007. It is very wrong."

He alleged Rev. Okotie was brought to the church where he worships last Sunday by the State Chairman of PFN. "They interrupted church service for him (Okotie) to deliver his sermon," Obiora fumed.

As a matter of fact, Rev. Okotie has gone to great lengths to letting his ambition and mission in politics be known. He had, a week earlier, told PFN leadership in South East that he would be visiting to talk to members of the Pentecostal community in the zone. And everywhere he has gone, he seizes the chance. He has the gift for expressing it in a stately, lilting language that could appeal, simultaneously, to born agains and other secular boomers currently searching for a lost sense of uplift in their lives.

For Rev. Okotie, his ambition to become an elected President is an extension of delivering the Good News. And his abiding faith in this project, he tells people, is an equivalent of the Biblical injunction that there's no mountain too great to climb once there is faith.

How far this will carry him remains to be seen. It is not something to be given on a granular debate based on theology where he excels. If he fails a second time, there will be plenty of reasons to give, but his critics will assail him of being blinded by his beliefs to the complexities of Nigerian politics.

Few doubt that Rev. Okotie is sincere in his faith, a worthy virtue for anyone who seeks to lead. But many insist he should face the reality of his ambition in the spirit of Oliver Cromwell: "I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, think it possible you may be mistaken."
 

 

CHRIS OKOTIE'S BIOGRAPHY

Reverend Chris Okotie
Born: June 16, 1959
Birthplace: Ethiope West, Delta State.

Reverend Chris Okotie was born Christopher Oghenebrorie Okotie to Francis Idje and Cecilia Okotie, in Ethiope-West Local Government Area, Delta State : South-South Nigeria on June 16, 1959.

As a growing child, he always loved to sing. While in secondary school at Edo College, Benin City, he belonged to the school's Music Club and usually entertained groups of people. He never considered commercialising his talent until his first year at the University, when his father died. He earned an L.L.B. Hons in 1984, from the University of Nigeria Nsukka - Enugu Campus.

Rather than practise Law, Okotie attended The Grace Fellowship Bible School in Tulsa, Oklahoma [United States] and became a preacher of the Gospel.

The problems faced by the young preacher were as daunting, as they were varied. He gained a lot of criticism as the entertainment industry and his fans, wondered at the choice of occupation he made at the peak of his musical career.

However, in 1990, Okotie set an impeccable record by introducing the GRACE Program/ Karis Award as an annual charity event hosted at the church where he pastors; The HouseHold of God International Ministries, Lagos, Nigeria. The guiding philosophy being that greatness does not consist in being great but in the ability to make others great. The Karis Award gives recognition to, while financially rewarding Nigerians who had offered distinguished service to the nation, but are not recognized nor rewarded for their contributions to the nation building.

Some recipients of The Karis Award are, Prof. Chike Obi, the renowned mathematician (1996),D.I.G. Chris Omeben, a retired Policeman famous for his transparent honesty(1997), Mr. Taiwo Akinwunmi who designed the national flag (1998), Late Hogan Bassey, former Commonwealth and World Boxing Champion (1999), Chief Michael Imodou, the Veteran Labour Leader (2000), Chief (Mrs.) Margaret Ekpo (2001), Nationalist and Woman Activist, Late Mallam Aminu Kano , Nationalist (2004)and Isaac Adaka Boro , Human Rights Activist (2005).

The GRACE Program also makes regular cash and material contributions to charity organizations such as the SOS Children Village, the Sunshine Foundation, Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted and Little Saints Orphanage, Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria amongst others including individuals who have enjoyed the benevolence and vision of a man with a heart for the people. The Childcare Trust, a pet project of the First Lady of Nigeria, Late Mrs. Stella Obasanjo has also enjoyed the benevolence of Reverend Okotie.

To his credit also, from the pulpit of the church as a clergyman, Okotie has patriotism resplendent in the fervor with which the Nigerian National Anthem is intoned at the close of every service or meeting.

Known for his open-mindedness and candor, his friends cut across religious, ethnic, gender and social barriers. It is on record that he was a close friend and confidant of the Late Chief MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 elections. And even under the most dangerous and perilous times in the history of the Nigerian nation, he proved to be the proverbial friend 'who sticks closer than a brother.' It is little wonder that he was voted 'Man of the Year' by National Encomium Magazine in 2002 for 'daring to speak in the face of adversity and threat to his life'.

An auspicious year, the year 2002 witnessed the publication of Okotie's book, The Last Outcast, a widely acclaimed publication fast making the bestseller list.

However, the steady decline of the Nigerian nation became Okotie's next big challenge. Thus, his advent into politics. He has this vision to liberate Nigerians from the bondage of poverty, ethnic chauvinism and religous bigotry, believing that Nigeria with its vast human and material resources has no business with poverty but for corruption, which has become a way of life for most Nigerian people.

He states, "Our leaders and those in authority are totally insensitive to the feelings, comfort and sufferings of their fellow citizens. The citizens on the other hand, being subdued to long-term oppression, glory in the diabolic and surpass ourselves by worshipping nonentities and posturing to action. We now prefer palliatives rather than cure, we have parasitism and has elevated it to a way of life while the political class entertain vaulting and limitless ambition.

My friends and fellow citizens, unless there is a generational shift, that is to say, except the old breed politicians make way for the younger generation, we may continue to wander in the political and socio-economic wilderness without finding our bearing as a nation.

As for my plans for reviving the nation's economy, I believe that the issue of endowment fidelity must be addressed i.e a commitment to the natural resources that God has placed in our Land. Despite the selfishness and parochial tendencies of our leaders, there is still enough to be derived from agriculture, taxation and education. There is still enough for us to build a great nation.

For me, change has begun and that change is inevitable. I want you to know that I have in the past fifteen years, been studying the concept of governance and I have come away realizing that all we need is focused leadersip. Throughout history, God has always changed mankind through leadership. I present myself as that leader for the Nigerian nation at this time.

I believe in a FRESH Nigeria where F stands for Faith, R for Responsibility, E for Equality, S for Security and H for Hope. My name is Reverend Chris Okotie and I have chosen to stand with my fellow Nigerians to say no to status quo."

DIALOGUE WITH REV. CHRIS OKOTIE

QUES: Is there any man of God that you know of who got political power through the ballot box?

Not that I am aware of. There are many people in the Orthodox Church who have been involved in politics. But is there a Pentecostal that has ever been involved in the political process that culminated in electoral victory? That I am not aware of.

QUES: Why are you then venturing into politics with such deep convictions?
It is a divine mandate.

I think that it is not that they have not attempted but they have never really been able to operate at this presidential level; some of them have been involved at a lower level. Many times when the Lord will speak to a man or a woman, because it is something that has never been done before, people are very reluctant to obey. It takes a lot of courage to contradict the status quo and try to change things. I have always had the exceptional privilege of being obedient to God in every circumstance that I find myself. That is why.

QUES:Billy Graham, the American was persuaded at one time to run for thw office of the President of the United States, but he later reasoned that touching the lives of people as a preacher was more profound than politicking. Do you buy his argument?

It is not an issue that is polemical in the sense that it is not a subjective reality. When God gives a command, it is not for you to rationalise it and to ask yourself which is more profitable or which is more meaningful. Billy Graham is a great man of God and he has followed his calling. If he did anything contrary to that, he would be in disobedience. He didn't get there by his own making. It was not something that he put upon himself. It was a call that God gave to him and he must follow that call. For me, and for others like us, we can only do what we are mandated to do. It is not for us to decide which is more profitable or which is more effective in the kingdom of God. David was a priest and he was also a king. Jesus is going to come back here as a prophet and a king.

QUESS: You have the privilege of pasturing very successful people in your church, but why are these people not able to influence opinion in your favour in 2003?

Because it was a very novel idea in 2003 and my ministry was concerned about my safety and about the viability of the project, but more especially about my safety because they know how people don't play fair. Out of genuine concern, a number of them were slow in responding. All of that is in the past. The more information I have given from the scriptures the more they have come to embrace that concept of governmental responsibility that can be bestowed upon a man of God. For now, we're networking all over the country and not just in my church. We've gone across the nation - PFN, CAN; everybody is involved now because they realise that only the righteous can actually salvage this nation.

QUES: Isn't it possible that if your church had branches elsewhere rather than having everybody under one roof at Oregun-Lagos, this network of branches would have been of mighty help at a time like this?

Well, that's human argument. We cannot put forth human wisdom to juxtapose against divine wisdom because God is all-knowing. God knew from the very beginning that I will be Pastor of one church, yet He asked me to do this because He has a plan and that plan He is not going to actualize through branches. We have not really been one for branches in temrs of having pastors who are subject to the authority of a mothet church. We will have teaching centres in the future. God knows the end. He will deliver a plan to us and once you follow that plan, victory is certain.

QUES: How will you deal with chiefs and the traditional institutions who still have a stronghold on the lives of a large portion of the population. Will you seek their support and bow at their temple?

Not at all; I will not bow at their temple. We believe that whoever, whenever in Nigeria today has experienced the difficulty that our nation faces and to that extent they agree that change is inevitable. As custodians of the lives of their subjects, they would look at a leadership that would enhance the lives of the people that they oversee. That is why I believe that they would naturally gravitate towards Rev. Chris Okotie.

Do you go along with the thinking in some quarters that President Olusegun Obasanjo should continue in office for his ability to eliminate the country's debt to the Paris Club?

I don't think that it is a novel idea. All over the world, leaders do the right thing. If we have in nigeria an aberration where people don't do the right thing, the fact that President Obasanjo is doing the right thing means that there are many other men like him who would do the right thing. We are not going to limit ourselves into thinking that because one man is doing the right thing, he is the only person available. I respect what the President has done; I think it is commendable and I applaud it. He is one of so many like him who desire the right thing for Nigeria. I do not think that it is strong enough argument for term elongation.


Do you have a personal physician?

I have a personal physician at the moment.

Do you want to tell us his name?

I do not want to disclose his name because I do not have his permission to do so.

When was the last time you consulted him?

I am a very healthy person. I really do not need medical attention. We are in touch because he is a member of my church. I am not sure I can remember the last time we talked.

How regularly do you fast?

I live a fasted life in the sense that my constitution is such that I don't do few days stretch of fasting but I limit the amount of food I eat on a daily basis. We call it a fasted life. Sometimes I eat one meal in a day.

Some say you don't need to be president to impact on the lives of Nigerians and that you are already doing that with your annual charity programme, GRACE. Is that right?

No matter how enlarged GRACE becomes, it is so small compared to the population of this nation. The resources of Nigeria are not being properly managed. that is why there is still poverty in the land. To be able to redirect the gains of our resources, we need the kind of leadership that will be ble to harness all the resources that we have and that is why a certain governmental responsibility is expected. It is only at that level that you can do that which is meaningful enough to impact the lives of the Nigerian people; we are talking aout millions of people here.

What type of political ideology are you canvassing?

We believe in compassionate capitalism. That is how I describe it. It is capitalism that is somehow connected to welfare. I do not think that is something that can be described ideologically that simply in the sense that we believe in capitalism because it is enshrined int he scripture. It is capitalism but it is based on the messianic, which in itself is a concept of governmental sacrifice where it is not the people who make the sacrifice but the government. Governments have always caled on people to make sacrifices, but ours will not be like that. We will never ask Nigerians to make any kind of sacrifice. It is leadership, government that will make the sacrifice. In that way, we are different.

Where is the compassionate or messianic capitalism enshrined in the Bible?

It is not written out because the Bible is not a political book, but the concept of governance is there. When God created Adam and Eve, He gave them a home to live in, He gave them food and an enabling environment to do what He had commanded them to do and then He asked them to work, so their home and the food on the table were not as a result of their work, even though they were asked to work. But their self esteem was not predicated on the work that they did, these things were provided for them because they were the children of God. That is what we call the providential dispensation of governance. What the Fresh Democratic Party (FDP) will do for Nigerians is that because you are a Nigerian, you are entitled to a home, food on the table and an enabling environment that will help maximiza your potential. that gives you a sense of dignity and self worth at the basic level, then you are asked to work. If you want to improve your status in life, then you have to do some work. That's what it is. You have that concept of compassion that comes from creation which God has demonstrated to man. The government of any nation should make this provision for their people at a basic level. Then the gains of capitalism will help them improve their lives. Their is a balance. That is the concept that you find in Scripture.

Do you have any personal investment?
I wouldn't even disclose that.

At some point, you will have to if youa are running for the office of the president of Nigeria?

I know that, when it comes to declaring your assets and things like that. But I think it is too early in the day.

But you do have some investments, don't you?

Well it depends on what they are. Let me jiust put it this way; when the time comes, everything that Chris Okotie has will be made public. In the case of the Lord Jesus Christ, there was a political contract that God had with a man called Abraham, that He would send Jesus Christ to the Jews and that when he comes, He will change the lives of the Jews, that the gospel will be preached to the poor. That is an economic situation. There are also social dimensions to the gospel. Jesus said, " I am the truth" which translates into idealism. Then He said, "I am the life", which is the galvanising impetus- what you call the Contemplata. What would make a man want to lay down his life for his nation? Why does Chris Okotie want to sacrifice everything that he has achieved for dangerous politics? That galvanising impetus is what we call the meditational experiment for the contemplata. That concept in my mind, animates and galvanises me.

Do you perceive at some point, the ordinary Nigerian can't follow what you're saying and it may lead to some frustration because they may think here is another one of them and he is sounding so high?


I do not have that perception because every discipline has its language. Doctors speak a certain language that you don't understand. Architects speak a certain language that is peculiar to them. When it comes to politics, there is a certain language you soeak depending on who is listening. Before I decided to explain this thing I gave you the simple scripture. I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the father except by me. That is simple enough. The people that I am addressing everytime I come on television are those who belong to a certain intellectual class. They need to know that I know where they are and I disagree with them when it comes to what they are doing to the Nigerian people. They know that the one who's speaking to them is a part of them but refuses to identify with the things that they do to the Nigerian people. The ordinary Nigerian knows Chris Okotie. he knows what I stand for and he knows what I represent. he is not my problem. My problem is that oligarchy; the privileged few who think that the leadership of this country is theirs by right of divine donation. Those are the ones I am addressing and I am saying to them that their time is up and that change is inevitable.

As some people say, it is easier to influence change from inside. Couldn't you have joined a party like the PDP and canvassed the same change that you are talking about, rather than working from outside?

The PDP is not looking for change. If you want to join a political party, there has to be some ideological connectivity. The PDP is just a conscription of men and women with antithetical political philosophy, who have come together for one reason - power. They want to acquire power either by hook or crook. If you join such a political party it destroys you immediately. Ninety percent of President Obasanjo's problems are not coming from outside, but from his party. He has great ideas. He loves this country. He wants to help this country, but his party will not help him. I have often said that God appointed the president to head this nation but he didn't appoint the PDP. The President went throught the wrong political party. That is why most of the great works that he has done are on the verge of being totally eroded from the national psyche because it is the PDP that is seeking to pursue a Third term agenda which I believe President Obasanjo ordinarily would not subscribe to.
I believe very strongly that only a generational shift philosophy will engender a paradigm shift for this country. In talking about the future of this country, we must know that the current crop of geriatric politicians can no longer sustain Nigerians in the 21st century. We need a man who epitomizes globalization, who can take the Nigerian dream and interface it with the concept of globalization in a millennium that calls for harmony and innovation and I think that these are the things that Rev. Chris Okotie epitomizes.

If a Householder votes for another party other than the FDP, will that offend you?

Not at all.

Why not?

Because they are at liberty to exercise their franchise.

Do you know any Householder who is a member of any other political party?
Not at the moment. There was in 2003. We had a couple of people who were in other parties.

What has happened to change their opinion between then and now?

Two things. Number one, more information has come from the scriptures and they have come to see their responsibility in terms of ideology, not just pursuing a party in terms of power sharing. Number two, the PDP as a political party has failed them.

Basically, we can say that the Household of God is the nucleus of the FDP?
At the early stages when we were still conceptualising the party and we were a non-governmental organisation, it was mainly Householders. But we have gone beyond that now.

Are you still in touch with your vice presidential candidate in the 2003 election?
Yes. But concerning the FDP, we have not discussed it formally. We are still friends, but we haven't talked about what political action she wants to take. Her husband was also a member of the board of trustees of the political party that I was involved with. These are early days, in time, we will get together.

Did you ever practice as a lawyer?

Not at all; I was in Law School when I left for America to go to Bible School. I only have a Law degree.

Do you regret that decision?
Of course not. Anytime I want, I can always go to Law School.

Can you mention three persons who have influenced you the most apart from Jesus Christ?


(Laughter) I don't know... Okay, who now? Archbishop Benson Idahosa is one of my greatest heroes. Who else? I have to think really hard... Yes, Charles Spurgeon and... I think it is just those two.

What has been the most challenging issue that confronted you since you started your walk with Christ?

I think it is this political dimension in my ministry. Prosecuting my political agenda has been the most challenging, because you are dealing with people who don't have the same spiritual understanding as you. I had to constantly remind myself that when Jesus came to die, He died for a people who cursed Him to the end; He was crucified by the same people He came to save. To do anything for the people, you have to have a sacrificial attitude.