By SN24.com 
By Peter Akpah.
…Says Nigeria Is At A Defining Moment, Needs God-Fearing Leader To End Hardship, Insecurity*
*Jos —* The Governor of Oyo State and presidential candidate of the African People’s Movement (APM), His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, on Sunday attended service at the Headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Jos, where he called on the Church to rise up in prayer and participate actively in changing the course of history for Nigeria.
Makinde, who was warmly received by the leadership and congregation of COCIN, said he was in Jos not for open campaign, but to worship with the brethren, seek prayers and encourage Christians to make the right decision for a better Nigeria.
Addressing the congregation, the APM presidential candidate said Nigeria is at a defining moment and needs a leader who can reduce hardship, secure the nation, fight insecurity, boost the economy and implement good policies that will touch the lives of the common man.
“Nigerians deserve better. We need a leader who has the fear of God, who sees the pains of Nigerians, who can change bad governance to good governance,” Makinde said.
“A lot will be going on. Politicians will keep coming to you and asking for your support. The only thing I can say is that this is a defining moment in our country. This is a defining moment. Whatever we do now will determine the future.”
Makinde noted that since Nigeria got her independence on 1st October, 1960, so much has happened, yet the country has not worked well for everybody.
“Myself and my team are of the position that the country has not worked well for everybody. If it has worked well for you, maybe there is nothing to talk about. But if indeed you feel we have not achieved enough, we have quite a bit still to do,” he said.
*Christians Must Not Stay Away From Politics*
The Oyo Governor challenged Christians who often shy away from politics on grounds of not wanting to be yoked with unbelievers or be part of something dirty, to reconsider their position.
“We Christians always say we don’t want to be yoked with unbelievers. We don’t want to be part of anything that is dirty. But the good news is that as Christians, if you read your Bible, the noble pact… God’s people still participated. They did all things for God’s sake, not for their glory. So as Christians, we must participate. We must participate. Let our voices be heard in changing the course of history for Nigeria.”
He urged the Church to come out en masse on election day and use its voice to rewrite history that generations will benefit from.
“Please get ready. Participate. History is about to happen again in Nigeria. I encourage all to come out on the day of elections, let us rewrite history.”
*From Oyo To Nigeria*
Makinde recalled his journey into politics, saying when he told people in Oyo State that he wanted to be Governor, many doubted him.
“When I said in Oyo State, ‘I would like to be the Governor,’ somebody asked me, ‘which Rotary District?’ I said, ‘No, Governor of Oyo State.’ They said we don’t go further, no one in politics… I said, well, I have got the matter. And I became Governor of Oyo State. This time around also, you won’t see any big politician…” he said, drawing applause from the congregation.
He stressed that his message to the Church was simple — to encourage Christian brethren to come out and make the right decision for a more promising leader.
“We are all feeling the bad situation in the country. We need a leader who sees the pains of Nigeria. The Church has a voice. Let us use it,” Makinde added.
Makinde said he would return to Plateau State for an open campaign in the coming days.
The service at COCIN Headquarters Jos was filled with prayers for Nigeria, Plateau State and for peaceful, credible elections in 2027.
