The Traditional Ruler of Akipelai community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, King Asara Asara, who once served as Commissioner for Information and Strategy in the state has upbraided cleric who have turned their pulpits into campaign arenas, stressing that the trend is “mischievous and dangerous for the country’s democracy.”
The Paramount Ruler, who stated this while reacting to the recent verbal attack on President Goodluck Jonathan by vociferous Catholic priest, Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka, advised clergymen to focus on their divine calling of preaching the message of salvation to mankind rather than getting involved in politics.
In the words of Asara, who spoke in his country home in Akipelai, “The likes of Mbaka are money conscious and have turned churches into business centres and are obtaining money for the performance of miracles.”
Warning that unguarded utterances by the clergy will make even the saints to withdraw from churches, Asara enjoined religious leaders to desist from making inflammatory comments on candidates and political parties so as not to stir disaffection among the people as the elections get afoot.
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