2023: RCCG Creates Directorate of Politics To Mobilise Support For Member Candidates

By March 14, 2022, all  Regions and Provinces of the Redeemed Christian Church of God would have appointed regional and provincial political coordinators to mobilize support for its members wishing to contest elections in 2023.

This follows a directive from the highest leadership command of the Church in a February 28 letter from the Assistant General Overseer (Admin/Personnel), Pastor J.F. Odesola to all Pastors-in-charge of Regions and Provinces.

The internal ‘memo’, sighted by Prime Business Africa, informed  that the Office of Directorate of Politics and Governance  had been created, as Nigeria inches closer to the 2023 general elections.

The letter, copies of  which were sent to ‘Daddy G.O, Continental Overseers and Head and  the ‘Directorate of Politics and Governance’,  informed that Pastor Timothy Olaniyan, the PICP of the Lagos Province 12, had been appointed  to oversee the new Directorate of Politics and Governance.

Pastor Odesola  mandated  the Church leaders  to appoint Regional and provincial coordinators and forward their names within two weeks of receiving the memo.

”We write to formerly notify you that the mission has created the Office of Directorate of Politics and Governance in the RCCG.  Further to this, Pastor Timothy Olaniyan (PICPLagos Province 12) has been appointed  to lead the Office,” the memo states.

”You are kindly requested to appoint with immediate effect a Provincial Officer  for your Province and also ensure that the same is done at all levels of the Church  – Zone , Area  and Parish. The essence of this Directorate is to help coordinate engagement of our people  who are willing to be involved in Politics as well as mobilise support for them when required.

”Kindly send to then office of the undersigned details of your Regional and Provinces Coordinators within the next two weeks of receiving this letter.

”May the good  Lord bless you always in Jesus name. Amen.”

Recall that the RCCG, through its RCCG portal and other means, did a lot of socio-political mobilisation during the 2015 presidential election  won by  Muhammadu Buhari and  Pastor Yemi Osinbajo running as vice presidential candidate under the platform of the  All Progressives Congress  (APC).

The candidates won the 2015 election riding on the backing of former Lagos State Governor  Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, who had to visit the church at the time, as well as the  massive support of  Nigerian youths.

Both candidates also won a re-election in 2019.

Although VP Osinbajo  has not publicly declared intention to run for the office of the President as the 2023 election  draws closer,  there are strong indications that the lawyer and influential  pastor in RCCG is keen on having a shot at the plum job.