1st Timothy 2:1 says, “I urge you, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, thanksgiving be made for everyone, for kings and those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases our God and Savior, who wants all men to come to a knowledge of the truth.” If there is no peace in the land, the Gospel will not go forth, and people will not see the reality of Jesus Christ in what we say and how we live. It is so sad to see the nation’s and leadership’s daily vilification. It is a spiritual law that we reap what we show with our mouths. In Nigeria’s political and religious context, leaders are mirror reflections of those they lead.

River State, the Treasure Basket of Nigeria, is not at ease with an increasing era of political succession volatility and polarisation. The church has a role to play without possessing political power. Instead of political authority, the church best serves as a conscience for the state and nation. The church is not charged with political authority but stands upon moral issues of right and wrong and helps to influence society in that way. The church directly opposes repression, promotes peace and reconciliation, serves as a communication link between opposing sides, and provides training in peacemaking methodologies. Beyond not being religious apologists for the state, the church must not fall in danger of baptising a particular political leader over the state. Concerning Nigeria and River State in particular, the church must draw on the Letter to the Ephesians, which speaks of a struggle, not against flesh and blood, but against the “principalities and powers.”

The season of Lent allows the churches to acknowledge their role in emergency support and management and facilitate proactive steps to ensure genuine reconciliation and unity among the people. Historically, churches provide emergency assistance during crises and war. Inadequate church support may result in distrust and unforgiveness, hindering effective responses to maintain peace, order, and reconciliation. The church is empowered to help teach meaning and purpose to life, reinforces social unity and stability, serves as an agent of social control, promotes psychological and physical well-being, and motivates people to work for positive social change.

1942 Archbishop William Temple’s book, ‘Christianity and Social Order’, was written in 1942, and it reminds the church not just as an agent of spiritual growth but also to strengthen social order. The book also reflects the need for a just society, especially in Nigeria, and most especially in River State, the Treasure basket of Nigeria; Nigeria has much to be hopeful about. We are as gifted as ever, full of potential, with remarkable people and an extraordinary heritage. The political development in River State, leading to the proclamation of a State of Emergence by President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, raised the role of the church in social order. As salt and light of the world, the church helps form our values coupled with what is good and precious in the Christian faith and our heritage as a nation.

For the church to be justified in speaking about Jesus Christ, it is worth risking for the church to work for the society that God calls us to pursue and witness. The nation’s reimaging based on the clear Christian values by the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) that happened in the post-Nigeria civil offers the church a helpful role in the State of Emergency in River State.

The present challenge in River State offers us a fresh, confident, practical, and outward-looking vision. The church needs to be witnesses to the good news of Jesus Christ in word and deed, as the churches often are (although they also often get things wrong) and by speaking of a vision for society.

What politics divides, church unites. Politics and church are risky things to do at the same time. The role of the church as the Body of Christ is to follow in the footsteps of His Master by caring for those in need and expects those who claim political leadership to act in caring for the people by means of action and words. Politics divides while the church is often the glue that holds society together, not entirely alone, but as a crucial part. The question for us in Nigeria is, how effective and impactful has the church being the glue that holds the nations together, especially Rivers State in Nigeria?

 Jesus was never party-political. No wing of politics – left or right – can claim God as being on its side. It is also important to note that Jesus was highly political. He told the rich that, unlike the poor, who were blessed, they would face woes. He criticised the King as a fox. He spoke harsh words to the nation’s leaders when they were uncaring of people in need.’ The church has a key role in counter-cultural roles and approaches to politics. We should be peacemakers and not just cheer groups or spectators.