The presence of the Maj.-Gen. Mohammadu
Buhari’s running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, at a concert organized by
award-winning hip hop artiste, Olamide, in Lagos on Sunday has become a
subject of a raging online debate.
Online commentators questioned the
attendance of Osinbajo, the presiding pastor of the Redeemed Christian
Church of God, Olive Tree Parish, Banana Island, Lagos, at the event,
which was described by many as “worldly.”
Such people argued that no
“spirit-filled” pastor would find it comfortable listening to “worldly”
music in passing, let alone attending a live concert where many of such
songs would be rendered.
Responding to the photos splashed on
social media, showing Osinbajo while the concert was underway, one
Shydoo Shadrack wondered on Twitter if the cleric had not begun
backsliding occasioned by his foray into politics.
“Are we sure Osinbajo is a born-again
Christian needless to talk of being a pastor? What was he doing at a
worldly musical concert? Or was it that this man has begun backsliding
so soon?” he asked while expressing concerns over the development.
An entertainment blogger, Segun Oleniju,
could not imagine how Osinbajo would have been dancing to the rhythm of
Olamide’s songs such as ‘story for the gods’ and ‘Durosoke’.
“I thought they said this Yemi Osinbajo
man was a pastor? What was he doing at Olamide’s concert? Too much
fakeness in the name of God,” he added on Twitter.
Following the debate his appearance at
the concert has stirred, Osinbajo has replied critics questioning his
move. The professor of law wrote on his Facebook page that all Nigerians
have something to offer to bring about the needed change the country
needed.
He added that Olamide was one of the
popular Nigerian recording artistes that should join other citizens in
transforming the nation.
“I met the popular recording artiste –
Olamide. He is an impressive young man. We are richly blessed with
talented and energetic individuals who have a lot to offer the nation.
Everyone should get involved in transforming our country.
“It is achievable. Change is possible;
change starts with you,” Osinbajo, who is running with Buhari on the
platform of the All Progressives Party said.
Fans of the APC VP candidate also rallied
round him online, hailing his resolve to identify with the likes of
Olamide and other entertainment artistes as an appealing and inclusive
strategy.
A lawyer, Babalola Ogunmefun-Aare, argued
that since Jesus whose teachings modern day Christians follow did not
shun the ‘tax collectors’ and other sinners during his lifetime,
Osinbajo had not erred by attending Olamide’s concert.
“So, the Professor (Osinbajo) should snub
Olamide? Did Jesus Christ snub the tax collectors in the Bible? Did
people not accuse Jesus Christ of dinning with sinners? Mr. Vice
President in-waiting, we endorse your political moves,” Ogunmefun-Aare
stated on Facebook.
Another Lagos-based respondent, Fredrigez
Deval, arguing in support of Osinbajo on Facebook, said, “He (Osinbajo)
only met with the young man (Olamide) and attended his show. Even Jesus
Christ himself mingled with the harlots and tax collectors.
“We should not be in a rush to judge this
man of God and the status of his Christian faith. Better still, maybe
we should leave Osinbajo with God who searches the hearts of men to
judge,”
Meanwhile, a former Governor of Kwara
State, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has carpeted the ruling Peoples Democratic
Party over the N21bn fundraiser it organised for President Goodluck
Jonathan’s 2015 re-election bid.
The lawmaker representing the Kwara
Central Senatorial District accused the donors of contributing to the
President’s election purse for the purpose of reciprocating the gesture
of the Jonathan-led administration which gave them “free hand to milk
and ruin this nation.”
“They are donating billions because he
(Jonathan) gave them free hand to milk and ruin this nation. You don’t
have to be a politician to know if you are donating billions of naira;
you are either getting something or have got something.
“Even if you still have doubts, one thing
you are certain of is that this current administration is clueless.
Come February 2015, Nigerians should donate their votes to change the
system,” Saraki added in a series of tweets.
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