The time is 10.27PM and here I am, in my study sitting behind
my desk, writing about my dear country Nigeria. Since about 4Pm, I had been
glued to a friend’s laptop, where we were streaming the live updates of the
results of the presidential elections, over the internet. By the time I got
home around 7 PM, there was no electricity (trust PHCN or is it IBEDC they are
called now sef?), so I had to switch to my generating set, which is meant to be
my backup but at times serves as the main de main (shey you get me now?) I
quickly switched on the generating set and poised myself to follow the
unfolding drama. After several minutes of listening to the results, I heard my
gen, which had been purring on gently, suddenly sing a high pitched note. Kai!
My fuel don finish, I thought. I would have to follow the rest of the updates
on social media or on my phone’s radio. By the time you are reading this, it
would be obvious who the president of the country would be for the next 4
years. But that isn’t really my point with this article.
My point is simple. Is it coincidental that Nigeria is
choosing the president of the country the day before Palm Sunday? Is it just a
coincidence that the commemoration of the deliverance, of the human race from
the clutches of the devil, wrought through Jesus Christ death and resurrection
(Easter), coincides with the same week Nigeria steps into a new era of leadership?
I think not! God is the one who sets times and seasons. Genesis 1:14 gives us a clear picture of God’s intention of setting
celestial bodies in the sky and the various seasons. They are signs and tokens
(like signposts of appointed events or happenings already scheduled by God).
All around, Nigerians have been clamoring for a new country.
A place where things work, where the amenities and utilities available are not
just for the enjoyment of a privileged few but open to all and sundry. It is
obvious that Nigerians, home and abroad, are desirous of a nation that they can
be proud of and of which they can enjoy the good in it. I can also say, with
some specificity, that this is the season for the fulfillment of some prophetic
words spoken over this great nation. Just last year, we stepped into our
centenary, and not too long ago we marked 50 years of independence. In the
bible, the number fifty represents a jubilee; a season where freedom is given
to people indebted or enslaved.
As Nigeria receives the new president, let us know that we
are walking into a new season, a season of resurrection and life. A season
where the Emmanuel has broken the gates of brass, cut the bars of iron in
asunder and has ransomed and rescued captive Nigeria from the clutches of the
evil that has held us down the fifty-plus years of our independence.