See Anointing

Do you read prophetic proclamations of some self-proclaimed interlocutors of the Almighty? Those who will want us believe God only speaks to us through them? Those who, among us, only have an ear for the Divine Word, as they regale us with their annual, general, inevitable "prophecies" that anyone can surmise will unavoidably come to pass in any year (such as the death of a famous politician, the untimely passing of a celebrity and the coming of the floods during the rainy season).

I've known charlatans that did a better job at prophecies than this lot. No need wondering if these are true "prophets" who probably muddled up what was revealed to them in their prophetic sessions with the Almighty. In fact to label their charlatanism anything but gooey parsimonious disgorgement of a yet-to-be identified dementia is to be economic with the truth.

How they keep their congregation believing is a dissertation in blind foolhardy followership that begs investigating. But who am I to question the anointed, abi? With these trite piffles masquerading as divine prophecies so wide from the mark, I'd rather pander to political and social matters than concern myself with the tragic fate of their believers. Sadly.

I don't give them much attention, since that'll be paying for their service. But I'd always wished that we had a way of fact-checking them when they condescend to deal in prophecies that can be nailed as having come to pass or proven not only dubious but clearly utter quackery!

With elections this year, they finally undid themselves. And it was with glee that I came across what you're going to read below.

Fact-checking is the new comedy, y'all. Enjoy and ooh...you're welcome.

Footnote
Keep a keen eye out for the one about Witches and Wizards too. (Ooh, my days... Lol.)


19 Prophecies Of 2015 That Did Not Come To Pass
By Dokunola

At the beginning of every year, men of God (Christians and Muslims) come up with prophetic utterances which they expect to shape the people’s mindset for the year.
The outgoing year is not an exemption, as there were series of prophecies by revered men and prophets of God on what will happen in Nigeria, especially as it hosted the general elections that ushered in a different administration.
The list below, as compiled by Leadership, shows some of those prophecies which refused to manifest in the course of the year.

1. Prophet Olaniyi Odutayo
Prophet Olaniyi Odutayo of the World Prophetic Church, Ikeja, had in the countdown to the March 28, 2015 presidential poll affirmed that God revealed to him that President Goodluck Jonathan would defeat three strong contenders to emerge victorious.
He said: “During the prayer/fasting, the Lord showed me three men trying to bury Goodluck Jonathan. Each one of them was trying to bury him one after the other, but as they pushed down his head, he rose up again. After the third man pushed down his head, he thought he had prevailed, he was already jubilating but suddenly Goodluck rose up.”

2. Prophet Joseph Oladipupo
Prophet Joseph Oladipupo is the shepherd in charge of Faith and Victory Church located in Akure, the Ondo State capital and one of those whose prophecies concerning the 2015 presidential elections never were.
According to him, God said Muhammadu Buhari, the major challenger of the then incumbent president, Jonathan, would not win.
The prophecy was that “The upcoming election will be very tough for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but they will win the presidency.”

3. Primate Elijah Ayodele
In January, 2013, founder and General Overseer of Inri Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, predicted that God showed him Jonathan would continue to rule till 2019.
He said: “The 2015 elections will hold but will be peaceful in some areas and not in other areas. As it is, from what I see at the moment, PDP will win, amidst serious criticism.”

4. Apostle Johnson Suleman
“With the level of bloodshed I saw, it is better Goodluck goes now to his village quietly. 2015 election is another June 12. The man who truly won will not govern or rule,” were the words of Apostle Johnson Suleiman of Auchi-based Omega Fire Ministry, implying that Jonathan was favoured to win but after that, violence may consume him.

5. Alhaji Musa Ayeni
Alhaji Musa Ayeni was the Presidential candidate of the African Peoples Alliance (APA) and told newsmen that he had been ordained by God to take over the mantle of leadership from President Jonathan after May 29.
“I came into the race because God directed me to contest the election. God told me categorically that I will succeed President Goodluck Jonathan and I believe what God says, hence, my resolve to contest the forthcoming presidential election,” Ayeni said.

6. Prophet Paul Okikiiesu
A Lagos-based prophet, Paul Okikijesu, was not quite clear with his prediction, but said correctly that Buhari might be voted for.
According to him: “If Buhari can surrender his heart to me, he will win the election. Nevertheless despite people’s mandate, they will neither release power to him nor swear him in as the president of the nation. His situation will be similar to Abiola that had people’s mandate, but was not given the chance to rule the country.”

7. Guru Maharaji
Sat Guru Maharaji, the spiritual leader of One Love Family, stated categorically that, “There is no vacancy for Buhari at Aso Rock. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is the verifiable divine choice of the forthcoming presidential election.”

8. Prophet Micheal Olubode
Prophet Micheal Olubode of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) was also sure of Goodluck Jonathan’s victory, declaring emphatically: “I want to let the people of Nigeria know that The Lord will return His Excellency, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to his presidential seat.”

9. Apostle B. B Frederick
Even Apostle B.B Frederick, a Ghanaian, declared based on ‘inspiration of the Almighty’ that “President Jonathan is the set man for Nigeria and his next term on the seat will bring liberation to Nigeria.”

10. Prophet Godfrey Gbujie
Prophet Godfrey Gbujie, who had predicted the deaths of former military ruler, Gen Sani Abacha and former president, Shehu Yar’Adua, told newsmen in Owerri that neither Goodluck Ebele Jonathan nor Gen Muhammadu Buhari would win in 2015.
His prediction was that, “Buhari has a mission divinely imposed on him, but he shall not rule this country again; even if he wins, God has not determined him to find His favour. Jonathan is the last elected president of this country.”

11. Pastor Dapo Adeniyi
Pastor Dapo Adeniyi stated that while Buhari may have good agendas to eradicate corruption in Nigeria, it was unfortunate that he would not win the election.
He said: “Though he will give Ebele Jonathan tough time, he will accuse the PDP of rigging the election, go to court but justice will not prevail. What a pity! I see him fainting and uncooperative to ensure the peace of Nigeria after his defeat.”

12. Dr Okhue Iboi
The national coordinator and spokesman of Witches and Wizards Association of Nigeria (WITZAN), Dr Okhue Iboi also had his prediction.
He said: “I don’t see General Mohammadu Buhari ruling this country. We don’t have a political party but if anyone seeks our help, we shall render it. There was a time witches in Benue State invited other witches across the country to offer prayers for the Senate President, David Mark, against impeachment. We flew to Otukpo and later to a village called Owetor. That was where we offered the prayers.”

13. Reverend Saviour Awusi
Reverend Saviour Awusi, the founder and General Overseer of God’s Divine Favour Evangelical Church, Okota, Lagos also made prophecies at the beginning of the year.
“Thus says the Lord: ‘By my mercy, President Jonathan would surely win this year’s presidential election. And all those who are against him shall be put to shame,” he said.

14. Babatunde Elijah Ayodele
The founder of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Oke-Afa, Isolo, Lagos, Babatunde Elijah Ayodele, came up with some prophecies too.
Aehad of the election, he said: “Kaduna is going to be very bloody. PDP may take Kaduna, but it’s going to be by narrow margin. Yobe, Gombe, Benue, Delta, Akwa Ibom, all those states will be won by PDP.”
On the presidential election, the man of God said: “This election is a lesson for him and there are still lessons for him to learn if he now gets it back. He still needs a lot of prayers. But in the midst of all the ups and downs, he may still have a very slim chance of winning the election. I don’t see any landslide victory at all between him and Buhari. At the end of the day, PDP will win the federal, but the party will crash after the election.”

15. Archbishop John Obiokeke
Archbishop John Obiokeke of God Pentecostal Mission Churches is reputed to have made some predictions which came to pass. However, his predictions on the 2015 presidential election seem to have missed the mark.
“God is saying that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock. For reasons best known to him, Jonathan, even though will rig, is still going to be the president,” he predicted.

16. Pastor Success Ibeakanma
Pastor Success Ibeakanma, the senior pastor of Royal Choice Ministries, Lagos, made a prophecy early this year pointing to the 2015 election. He said: “In the presidential election of 2015, APC will try but PDP will win.”

17. Primate Theophilus O. Olabayo
Theophilus Olabayo, the founder of Evangelical Church of Yahweh, Lagos, somehow got it wrong on who had the divine seal to win the presidential election, and also missed the target on who was to become Lagos state governor.
“God has revealed to me that if at all there is going to be a presidential election, it will be inconclusive just like the June 12, 1993, election that we had during the time of late Chief M.K.O Abiola,” the Primate stated.
“Jimi Agbaje will have more support of the people, and this is what will cause uproar in some circles if at all there is going to be an election. Jimi Agbaje will have the upper-hand because the candidate that should have won the election for APC was not given the chance to be presented as the party’s governorship candidate in Lagos. APC should have presented Ganiyu Solomon, he was God’s anointed candidate,” he stated about the Lagos state governorship polls.

18. Pastor Emeka Agwu
Pastor Emeka Agwu, the General Overseer, Voice of Evangelism International, Houston, Texas, USA in a prayer session organised for Dr Jonathan’s victory ahead of the election, stated: “They want Jonathan resigned or changed, but God has given Jonathan the 2015 election key of victory.”

19. Brother Joshua Iginla
Prophet Joshua Iginla is the founder of Champions Royal Assembly, a new-generation church based in Abuja. He also made predictions about the presidential election.
He said: “I am not a politician nor do I belong to any political party. I am just speaking God’s mind. The person sitting on the seat might not be perfect but he will retain the seat. It’s not guesswork… President Jonathan will win, but he has to pray about his health and so many political blows.”

Of Prayers, Dislike and Good Governance

I was told to use my time more wisely to pray for this administration rather than run my mouth castigating it at every turn. Those who know me well knew one thing well. I had something to say about that. See?

And to think that I don't even write everything that comes to my mind? If I was to really go ballistics you'd be at want for adjectives with which to convey your candid though acerbic observation.

Let us assume that I don't pray for the country and our leaders, (do not even add the general Prayer For Nigeria In Distress, no), say I don't, of what percentage does that represent? 1 out of millions, nay hundreds of millions? I'm not sure you're trying to tell me that until I add my own set of prayers, God will stay action on intervening. I'd try not to believe that.

But let's take it further. Even if millions on both sides of the major religious divide in Nigeria do not consider it their civic and religious obligations to pray for him, the press has been kind enough to show us religious ceremonies the president faithfully attends, ceremonies where the ministers of the Almighty and prophets of the Most High take it upon themselves to commit him to the Power above every other. If my sinner-prayer will not turn to a curse on him, as those of our other country men, all of whom have sinned and are less glorious than they should be, what of the prayers of those the Lord has ordained for His ministry? Imagine the efficacies of their supplications on his behalf? And I'm here referring only to the ones we see oo! God alone knows how many more of such prayers and intercessions are held on his behalf, especially by those who know that his continued stay in power is their only "sure banker" way of maintaining their access to the common till.

What has become of the man-hours expended in these prayers? That you even subtly suggest that his wisdom direly requires increment to reach depths necessary to move the country forward carries with it the implicit concession that those prayers seen to not have struck the mark. I'd be rehashing a hackneyed wisecrack by saying that the evil that is sucking away at what is left of the fibres of life here is emboldened by the cowardly silence, that pretends to be at prayer, of those who may be referred to as good, or better still, as victims who unfortunately haven't realised their varied states of victimisation.

What will it cost me to take everything to God in prayer? Even children and babies do that much, do they not? But it takes no small amount of effort and courage to be so informed that you can speak out, that you can, as you prefer to term it, "castigate" (I know I'm more acidic than cajoling, tho) those who have been picked to serve but who do everything else but serve. That takes everything you've got, and more. Does it not occur to you that having attained a level of spiritual maturity, you realise that you must of needs raise your voice, as all truly ordained prophets have done through history even until the events of GOOD FRIDAY, against the evils of their day because they know that it will be evil of them not to?

Prayer should move you to act and oftentimes this action calls that you don't keep silent in the face of injustice, in an atmosphere of insensitivity irrespective of how many times you're accused of being a person-hater or a paid hand. You know where your motives lie and you sympathise with the naysayers who do not even understand their own gods enough to naively conceive that prayers alone suffice.

I may not have told you about my prayers but I'd be the last, in fact I'd not stop to CASTIGATE such errant bestial and insensitive government that is daily proving that, in saner climes, it wouldn't need an opposition (which we neither have) to lose elections.

And you know I don't like GEJ? Really? Didn't know twas that obvious. Wow!