I thought it was another taunting of Dr. Doyin Okupe by his numerous (rightly?) detractors when I heard he compared Mr. President to Jesus Christ until I saw it on Channels TV. I froze as the words came out of his mouth that “People don’t understand the burden that this President is bearing, he is like JESUS CHRIST – he is bearing the burden of everyone”
Politics, in Nigeria, we all know is a dirty game. While it involves cooperation, collaborations, lobbying and alliances, it is also full of antics, maneuvers, blackmails, intimidations, coercions and sometimes violence and even death. Personally, I have nothing against politicians and their money-bought modern day slaves mudslinging themselves – it has proven to be one of the things that has kept societal humor going in Nigeria. However, I believe things are taken too far when the comparison suddenly leaves the realms of human and is targeted at the SON OF GOD.
Dr. Okupe by age, is supposed to be called and regarded as an elder. With that title comes some expectations and responsibilities. His current function in the Presidency notwithstanding, he should understand that Politics and religion are two things that should not go together, especially in Nigeria. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has been equaled to the likes of Mandela, Martin Luther King (Jr.) and Barack Obama and we are fine with that. It is the responsibility of a trumpet owner to blow it however he or she likes but, we all know that blowing a trumpet loud does not necessarily translate to producing good music. To move this comparison to JESUS CHRIST is religiously suicidal, utterly blasphemous and absolutely unacceptable. Not even the Adeboyes, Oyedepos or Kumuyis of this world can or should lay such a claim. Even the minimally sane will tell you that the Catholic Pope is only a human representation of God on earth.
I thought about juxtaposing the differences between Mr. President and Jesus Christ and then realized that doing such will be putting Dr. Jonathan, a man and mere mortal beside the LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH. ABOMINATION! Let Dr. Okupe know that this is not about his boss. Not at all. This is about EVERY MAN and WOMAN that has ever lived, is living or will ever live. Only a leprosy infected mind will ever reason along the line of comparing a WALKING SAND to the EVERLASTING KING. Despite the accomplishments, belief, passion and recognition of John the Baptist in God’s work, this is what he said of Jesus “HE is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” (John 1:27, NIV).
While acknowledging that PRESIDENTS ALL OVER THE WORLD carry the responsibilities of their countries, this is in no way a burden like that carried by Jesus Christ. To liken both shows a shallow thought process that falls way below the minimum entry level into any children’s church in the Christian world. How can we compare the burden of creating jobs, Power and Security with that of granting ETERNAL LIFE? If we go by Dr Doyin Okupe’s theory then we should call the likes of Xi Jinping and Narendra Mudi of China and India respectively GODS since they both have the burdens of over 1.2 BILLION people to bear? I want to think within me that the President, if he has heard this, will call Dr. Okupe to order on this. According to Isaiah 42:8 (NIV) God said “I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols” If Dr. Okupe is putting the President in the same league with Jesus, the repercussion on Okupe, and indeed, the President himself cannot even be imagined. I pray none happens.
It has reached a point in Dr. Okupe’s life where he has to sit himself down and ask himself serious questions about his believes, values and the next chapter or chapters in his life. Obviously no one has decided to do that for him or he chose to ignore those who tried. I wish him long life but he should know that he is closer to his grave than to his crib. If he is a Christian as he claims, he will know that PDP government or the Nigerian Presidency cannot appeal any judgment-day decision. It should be common sense to him that there should have been no comparison between Jonathan of Nigeria and Jesus of Nazareth. To do this, or continue to justify this, is to bring the wrath of the Nazarene upon the Nigerian.
@lanreshadiya
VIEW EXPRESSED ARE SOLELY AUTHOR’S.
