Apostle Emmanuel Iso is the superintendent pastor, BashuaAssembly, Lagos, of The Apostolic Church Nigeria. He was the Head, Evangelism Team at the Maboju Assembly of TheApostolic Church Nigeria, where Pastor Umo Eno grew up spiritually and he knew him (Umo Eno) very well.
He spoke with our Lagos correspondent, ABRAHAM AKPABIO, deeply on who Pastor Umo Eno is, thought on why a preferred choice of successor of Governor Udom Emmanuel, why christians must be involved in party politics, his views about the present day Nigeria and the prerequisites for credible, free and fair general elections in 2023.
Excerpts:
How do you know Pastor Umo Eno?
We grew up together spiritually at The Apostolic Church Nigeria, Maboju Assembly, Ikeja, Lagos, in the 1980’s. I met him as a very young, energetic and intelligent person with good upbringing, and love and like him naturally.
We were together in the choir and evangelism team where I was the leader and he was a prophetic channel and foremost interpreter in the church then, and became so committed to God’s kingdom business, which today, he is seeing reward for his labour of love, dedication, investment in God’s kingdom business and genuine service to God and humanity.
I made bold to say that, he is still that intelligent, humble, very submissive, respectful, smart, focus, quite but calculative, God-fearing, disciplinarian and sincere person I knew from our days of little beginning. Again, he is a grace carrier and covenant child of God, where God had promised to raise up for the world to see. So, what you have seen manifesting today is the fulfilment of prophecy.
What do think could have informed Governor Udom Emmanuel in choosing him as his preferred choice of successor?
The Akwa Ibom State governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, whom I know, even though I am not from Akwa Ibom, who is also very intelligent and highly spiritual must have seen sincereity on Pastor Umo Eno. Not because Eno is a pastor, but naturally, he is a very sincere person, very creative, a peace maker, and truly God’s anointed for Akwa Ibom in 2023. You see, the issue on ground now, that is, the preferred choice of successor, it is not the governor but God’s new project for Akwa Ibom. I know in times like this, people would talk here and there but no one can change God’s plan and prophecies must be fulfilled because it had tarried. Pastor Umo Eno is the like of Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and the biblical Joseph and David.
Let it be on record, if he is elected, he will make Akwa Ibom and people proud and Nigerians would look for him for higher office. The roles he had played at different times and places place him at a vantage position to understand what genuine leadership is all about and will not disappoint God and his people.
Since the news of the governor’s preferred choice of successor was announced, is there anything God has told you?
I have an intuition in me, I don’t just speak. I have to hear from the Lord before I speak. As at today, we are still praying on that direction and backing him up in prayers. If he is destined to be the next Akwa Ibom governor which I know will come to pass based on God’s promises on him, nothing will stand on the way. That will be a spring board for him to excel and serve humanity more. You see, God is not a man that can lie, if He promises, it must surely come to pass. No one should doubt the power of God. He is still the God of yesterday, today and forever.
What is your opinion on Christians involvement in party politics?
We cannot transform a nation unless we are in the economic, social and political development. As Christians, we need to be involved in these things as well as the educational development. However, when it comes to politics, we need to be careful not to take a partisan position. But my concern is, it is sad that many in politics who are Christians, are not spiritually prepared and equipped for political service, to see politics as a calling and avenue of being a blessing to humanity through elective position.
Again, let me again re-assure you, in the case of Pastor UmoEno, if elected, he will make the difference because he had already received the grace and I can feel he is prepared, equipped, groomed and empowered through series of spiritual process and by the time he gets there, he will know why he is going there and what to do to better humanity.
Christians must therefore deliberately, strategically and intelligently be involved in politics. Let me also advise the church to begin investing in their congregation by knowing those with the call for governance and leadership in the political sphere or interested in party politics, and should begin to show and pray with them the scriptural demand and purpose of being or going into politics as God will equally hold them accountable and answerable to their conduct.
Let me as well appeal to Christians leaders, pastors, spiritual leaders and fathers in times like this to guide people in political positions with right attitude to Godly governance and representation.
What is your view about the present day Nigeria?
It saddens my heart that our nation in what it is today and that those things fought for by our past heroes are being abused by some of our leaders.
What is affecting us most is corruption. This calls for the church to take her position and do what it is supposed to do instead of watching from the fence. Christians leaders in particular and ministers of God should put aside ego and the struggle for self relevance, material acquisition and flagrant display of wealth and go back to the teaching of salvation, holiness and sanctification message to sanitize Christendom instead of teaching strategies, techniques and steps to riches without godly values. It is worrisome that this has taken over the centre stage.
Why am I saying all these. Because all the corrupt people are in churches, mosques, etc and are paying unholy tithes. Again, for the necessary positive change and solution to come into the lingering problems and situation in our country, there is a need to change our mentality.
People complain and say it is Buhari, Buhari, no! Buhari is not the problem but the system itself. The system is corrupt. The future of this country needs more fervent prayers. Also, if we have people who are truly faithful, honest and loyal in Nigeria, then the country will be a better place. We should, must, not allow our differences to ruin our peaceful co-existence.
I am very sure, God will touch those who would be coming onboard to channel the affairs of this country into a good limelight.
What do you forsee as 2023 general elections in Nigeria gathers momentum?
With the amendment and signing into law of the Electoral Act that presently accommodates the electronic transmission of results, one can say that, as a nation, we have made some political/electoral gains. The 2023 general election will be said to be credible when it is organised in an atmosphere of peace, devoid of rancour and acrimony. Again, if the elections are to be free and fair, laws designed in that regard must not just exist, they must be operational, enforced and the power of freedom of choice conferred on the electorate must be absolute and not questionable.
Let me use this platform to advise Nigerian politicians to maintain decorum and promote peaceful coexistence, as election is not about violence, as the nation approaches the 2023 general elections.
To religious leaders, they must preach tolerance, unity and peace, and not to misinform their congregations at any level.
Discussion about this post