Why I Went To Okija Shrine With Bible, By Ngige

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Condemns Secret Oath-Taking
By Godwin Ijediogor and Samson Ezea
FORMER Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chris Ngige, yesterday condemned the practice of secret oath taking by politicians in their quest for political power.

Speaking to The Guardian on telephone, Ngige, who was accused some years ago of swearing a secret oath of allegiance at the Okija Shrine at the prompting of his estranged godfather, Chief Chris Uba, before becoming governor in 2003, denied actually taking the oath.

"I went to Okija Shrine with my Bible and refused to take any oath. Take oath for who and what? It is rubbish and absolute nonsense. Satan took Jesus to mountain for trial, but at the end Jesus triumphed over him," Ngige said.

On the recent allegation and counter-allegation of secret oath taking between Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State and some House of Assembly members, Ngige said he had not been following the saga, saying he was outside the country when the news broke.

But he stated that anybody, politician or businessman, demanding secret oath taking from anybody before supporting him or her is wasting his/her time, because it does not work.

Meanwhile, a cross section of Nigerians have described the act as shameful and desperate.

President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and General Overseer, Word of Life Bible Church, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor said it is "one of the dirty things and ignominious acts going on in the corridors' of power within the country," adding: "This is one of the reasons we have poor government."

The Christian cleric said further: "It is obvious from that shameful scene that our politicians do not feel they owe the nation any obligation. Their responsibility and obligation is to the people that gave them the oath. Because of that, they cannot be truthful. They are often compelled under such oath to take money to the people who initiated them.

"This reveals that there are many secrets surrounding governance in the country and no matter how bad things may be, they (politicians) would always cover themselves because they are on oath.

"It has encouraged corruption, wickedness, occultism in governance, rigging of elections, do-or-die politics and disregard for the sufferings of the people. That is the major cause of corruption in Nigeria. God will gradually expose the people who are behind the problem of this great country," he noted.

To the Prelate, Methodist Church, Nigeria, Rt. Rev. Ola Makinde: "It is barbaric, against the word of God and an insult to the integrity of citizens of the country."

"That is why our election will always be riddled with violence, rigging and bloodshed. Nigerians and particularly Christians should take the issue as a serious challenge that deserves to be prayed about," he added.

Renowned Kano Islamic cleric, Sheik Tijjani Bala Kalarawi, expressed regret that governance has today been reduced to power and acquisition of ill-gotten money, unlike in the past.

He attributed the development to the level of insincerity in the polity, hence he advocated a return to the ways of Allah, as "We must remember that we would all go back to Allah one day."

To constitutional lawyer, Mr. Fred Agbaje: "It is not only illegal, but also unconstitutional, as government officials who have skeletons in their cupboards are abusing the constitution and tarnishing the principles of the rule of law. They are not content with having only Official Secrets Act in place, but they have even gone further."

Mike Igini, Director of Centre For Leadership Values And Policy said it "clearly exemplifies the collapse of governance and the total erosion of our values."

For his part, Chief Chekwas Okorie, National Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), declared: "It is indeed worrisome that while the younger generation of other countries are engaged in efforts to make major breakthroughs in technology and other endeavours, their Nigerian counterparts repose their entire confidence in these primitive methods, as well as rely on godfathers, to whom they will take oath of loyalty to succeed in life."

He said this explains why the Nigerian society is not regenerative in all sectors of the economy and national life and called on members of the National Assembly "to rise above partisan and parochial interests to bequeath to Nigerians a sound electoral reform that will put Nigeria back on the path of growth, development and civilisation."

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