CHRISTIANS INVOLVEMENT IN POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE: A SINE QUA NON FOR AFRICA'S DEVELOPMENT

Résumé

The quest for development is the most talked about theme and most expected phenomenon within the African milieu. Unfortunately, this expectation appears elusive drawing from the fact that Africa and particularly Nigeria have had over time leaders who thought less of the general wellbeing of the greater majority than for self, friends and colleagues. Suffice to state that this has adversely impacted on the development of the continent. The main thrust of this essay is to x-ray and emphasize on the need for the emergence and involvement of Christians with the fear of God in various political positions and governance as this will positively guarantee Africa's elusive development. No doubt the biblical injunction that says: “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”. The wisdom required for the development of Nigeria cannot be solely contingent on sensual but also on divine wisdom. The intermixtures of both will guarantee development in Africa. This essay relies on the exegesis of Proverb 29:2, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked are in power, the people mourn”. This essay identified that the major problems bedeviling Africa's development are bad leadership, lack of fear of God and selfishness characterized by ravenous corruption. The essay therefore recommends the involvement of Christians with the fear of God in political positions of authority and decision making as a panacea to Africa's development.