The former president described the church as an important
and influential institution with a pivotal role in curbing and eradicating
corruption in Nigeria. He described the anti-corruption war in Nigeria as “a
fight for the soul of the nation.’’ Obasanjo said successive governments in
Nigeria had tried to contain corruption through enactment of laws and
enforcement of integrity systems with a slow pace of success.
“Legislations alone are not enough as they are often
breached by those who make them and those who should implement them. “Our main
problems are moral, ethical, attitudinal failure and disorientation. “The
church is an institution that provides the moral and ethical standards for us
as believers. “Man alone by himself cannot get rid of corruption from the
world, he needs the assistance of God.
“Here must come the society and the church with the spirit
of God to work together to undo the harm that man has done and continue to do
to the perfect work of God on earth,’’ he said. The elder statesman, however,
stressed that the anti-corruption crusade must first be fought within the
church through ridding itself of the menace before extending it to the larger
society. “The church needs to clear its augean stable.
“The temple of God must be cleanest to restore the holiness
of the church. “Our present day money changers and merchants. Must be chased
out of the church. “The pulpit must be used to teach and preach righteous and
honest living. “To preach that one can acquire wealth without labour is not
only deceitful, but also a call to corruption. “We must be careful in believing
and celebrating every testimony of miraculous blessing otherwise we end up
celeberating corruption. “The behaviour of some of our men of God leaves much
to be desired.
“They not only celebrate but venerate those whose sources of
wealth are questionable. “They accept gifts (offerings) from just anybody
without asking questions giving the impression that anything is acceptable in
the house of God,” he said.
He called on Christian leaders to sanitise the church for
effective anti-corruption crusade. The former president, who recalled that the
church played an important role in the development of Nigeria, noted that the
nation had come to another historic juncture requiring the church to play a
leading role. “The role must be played in praying, preaching and teaching.
“This is a period of moral and ethical rebirth and the church as an agent of
socialisation must embark on moral rearmament for the church and for the nation
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