President Goodluck Jonathan last night made a surprise visit to the monthly prayer meeting of the Redeemed Christian Church of God at the Redemption camp, Ogun State where prayers were said for peaceful conduct of the forthcoming general elections. President Jonathan who received a warm welcome by the worshippers was invited to the podium at around 9.30pm by one of the senior pastors in the church, pastor Aboaba. The whole church erupted in excitement when the screen showed a calm president Jonathan exchanging pleasantries with the leaders of the church on the front row.
President Jonathan thanked the worshippers for their prayers and urged them to continue to pray for Nigeria and the peaceful conduct of the election.
"I am here to join you in prayers for our nation tonight. The whole world is passing through a challenge of religious extremism. Our country is facing a difficult moment but very soon, it will be over with the collaboration of our neighbours.
"I am not going to campaign even though the election is near because the General Overseer will not allow his altar to be used for political campaign but I want to tell you to shun violence and pray for peace in all the elections", he admonished them.
Following his brief speech for which he received cheers from the worshippers, Pastor Adeboye prayed for peaceful conduct of the election and strength for President Jonathan who knelt down before the whole church.
The Vice Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Professor Yemi Osinbajo is a senior pastor in Redeemed church and the choice was seen as a breaker for the opposition party with the hope that their teeming members would vote for the party that parades their pastor as Vice Presidential candidate.
However, the ovation received by President Jonathan when he was introduced appears to have rattled such expectations even as he did not campaign there
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