False Prophecies: ‘A Pastor Told Someone Her Dead Father Behind Her Travails!’–Methodist Bishop

Bishop Bawa Ikwulono is a strong spiritual voice on the Benue valley and Apa/Agatu in particular. He is the Bishop of Methodist Church Nigeria, MCN, diocese of Apa Local Government Area, Benue. His calm, kind and humble disposition matches his priestly calling.

In this interview with THE WHISTLER’s Richard Anyebe, Bishop Ikwulono bares his mind on a number of issues among which are : false prophecies, Nigeria unity, this year’s general elections and his call into fulltime ministry, among others.

Who is Bishop Bawa Ikwulono?

Bishop Bawa Ikwolono is the bishop of Methodist church, Apa diocese. Apa diocese comprises Adoka, Ugboju, Ochekwu, and Agatu.. Bishop Bawa Ikwulono hails from Iga Okpaya, Apa Local Government which is his father’s home and that is where he is serving up till today.

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What motivated you into the Lord’s vineyard?

I was not born into Christianity. I was born in Agatu, even though Agatu is not my father’s home. So, when we migrated from Agatu to Iga Okpaya, I was serving my daddy and following his own religion, but later God called me and I cannot say no to the call of God, so it’s because of that, and I answered and am still serving as a Christian.

What year did God call you?

That was 1966. It was 1966 to be precise.

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How has the journey been so far in the Lord’s vineyard considering how long and you are still waxing stronger?

It’s just because of the will and the power of God that is sustaining me. It is not all that easy, but sometimes you fall into temptations, trails, and because God says, I will not leave you, and he strengthens me and since I have decided to depend upon him solely that is why am still serving him up till today.

It is not uncommon to see any Priest, Pastor or Bishop without a spiritual mentor and father. Who can you say you have as your spiritual father and mentor?

I have so many of them. But let me mention few. One, the Archbishop of Methodist church, J.O Job who is the Archbishop of Abuja. I have served under him here when he was in Iga Okpaya as the presbyter, not a Bishop, and I was working at Agatu. I was with him for two years. He really helped me. He was the one who joined me and my wife in holy matrimony. So, he is really my mentor.

How is your relationship with other men of God?

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I thank God; the relationship is not bad. I have many of them even outside Methodist Church, like Reverend father Odufu; he is a catholic minister and Ojaje and many others and right now we have in Iga Okpaya, Baptist Ministers and many other ministers. I maintain a very cordial relationship with all of them.

What is your opinion about the proliferation of Prayer Ministries?

It is unfortunate because not all of them are called. I know many are called and that’s why I said not all of them. Some are actually called and given this, but maybe because of money and other things, and they start imitating one another and they say they’re called. And I feel if it’s actually the work of God it will continue; but those ones that are not work of God will surely die on the way.

What is your take on the prophesies of doom that Nigeria will disintegrate?

I don’t believe that. This is our country and I know that one day God will bring peace and stabilize things in Nigeria. I don’t believe that Nigeria will divide; we are one and my prayer is that we will continue to be one and anybody who has a different opinion is on his own, but God who has given us this land will sustain us.

As a servant of God what is your opinion on people praying and wishing for witches and wizards to die?

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When we were young we didn’t hear about this. These witches and wizards thing is now common because of these prayer ministries; that a woman will go and say pray for me, I want to know my future, and they’ll tell her your mother is this, your father is that. Am not saying witches and wizards should die, but that God should give them the right spirit so that they will change, some of these people they’re calling witches and wizards, most times are not. I have heard someone been told that your father is the one doing this; and the father is dead. So not all of them are witches or wizards, and am not saying they should die, but let them live so that they will see the handwork of God and they will change and one day they’ll get to heaven.

What is your message to your followers and Christians generally as signs of the end time are rife?

We have to be very close to God. Devoted to prayers and live a holy life and make peace with one another.

Is it right for a Christian or Priest or even Bishop to contest for an elective position?

As a Methodist minister, in our own side, we just came back from our conference, and it is the conference that is controlling everything, it is stated that no minister, no pastor should contest for an elective position, but we allow our members to vie, because if you say that the members should not go and you allow these evil people contest and get an elective position, then they’ll start saying, ah God why are you doing this? So others can go but Pastors and Bishops in our church are told not to seek an elective position, but we only pray for the members to join or seek political office.

Is it right for a politician to preach in Church?

Some politicians will come to the church and say, please I need prayers, and as a Pastor we cannot say No, because we want peace. They’re the ones to go and rule us so when they come to the church, we allow them, but let them not campaign in the church. But they can come to the church for prayers, for advice. Pastors can advice them. But pastors should not allow them to use the church as a campaigning ground; it is wrong because it will cause trouble. For instance you have many parties and members in your church, and one comes, maybe he is a member or APC, another is a member of PDP, if you allow them then your church becomes a different thing, and it’s no longer a church.

How do you relax considering your busy schedules?

You see, it is not easy, knowing that our work is from morning to evening, but when you see a little gap then we say okay let us go and knee down and then take your bible, read to know the mind of God, because if you fail to read your bible at any given time, then you become a failure. So we don’t have any time to say let me relax, you just create time for yourself, so that you can have time for yourself and the little you have , you now say okay I want a rest. Don’t tell lie, just tell your children, I am busy now, maybe one hour, two hours, and after that you come out and continue.

As next year’s general elections draws nearer what is your message to Nigerians?

My message and advice to my country men and women is that I am pleading and begging them; it’s not a do or die affair. Let the aspirants allow and support whoever will emerge victories at the polls. Let nobody fight or struggle or cause trouble. They should not fight. They should drop guns. They should drop all evil things, killings and doing juju so that they will say, I will go by all means. Whoever God will allow to lead let him go. It’s not good to fight and do juju or thuggery. And this decamping issue is normal in the system, so anyone who decamps should not be hunted because he or she does so. And also the fight against corruption should not be one sided, it should be holistic. And my prayer is that the coming election will be peaceful and God will give us a man after his heart; and whoever comes up as a Governor or President I will support him, whether a Muslim, a Christian or a farmer.

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