Apostolic Round Table : A Call for Unity and Ideological Movements in Nigeria

The 2nd edition of the Apostolic Round Table, titled: ‘Nurturing Seed of Unity in Nigeria,’ took place on Thursday in Lagos.

The Convener emphasized that electing saints or sinners changes nothing, describing it as a trap of failure.

He highlighted the need for restructuring Nigeria according to the vision of the founding fathers in 1963, stating that the current political parties lack ideology and cannot bring about the desired One Nigeria. He criticized the elite political class for their greed and lack of ethics.

Referencing the historical figures of King David and Dawud (translated as Dauda), he questioned why it is nearly impossible for Nigerian leaders to work together on nation-building, despite both religions accepting good governance as a model. He pointed out that politics is the barrier.

The Convener stressed that the success and pitfalls of the Obidient movement should not be overlooked. He argued that a successful movement must be built outside the political party structure, avoiding personalization, tribalism, and religious cloaking. Such a movement should have a strong presence on social media and be tangibly felt in all communities.

He called for an ideological movement focused on nation-building, where candidates can present themselves, and the best can be chosen. This movement should be established before the end of 2026, with a focus on restructuring.

Reflecting on the past, he mentioned that the change movement in 2015 led to the formation of the APC political party. However, he noted that the Labour Party platform was alien to the ideology of the Obidient movement, resulting in the stillbirth of the movement’s desires.

Bishop Joseph Ighalo, in his keynote address, stated that some parts of the country feel relegated and are calling for restructuring. He emphasized the need for unity and urged Nigerians to focus on the present and future.

Pastor David Olabode highlighted the importance of language and culture, stating that the extinction of a language leads to the disappearance of its people. He stressed that no country can succeed without the combination of tradition, language, and culture.