Israel-Palestine conflict: Be neutral, radical preacher warns Tinubu

Radical preacher, Founder and Lead Pastor of The Transforming Church, Rev. Sam Oye, on Thursday warned President Bola Tinubu to exercise caution and not take sides in the Middle East conflict between Israel and Palestine.

According to him, the advice became necessary following demands that Nigeria should cut diplomatic relations with Israel.

The Ogun State-born cleric stated these during a press conference ahead of the annual programme of the church with the theme, “The Encounter” slated for Friday, November 3 in Abuja.

He said the President should rather play the role of a mediator with other world leaders in finding lasting solutions to the age-long conflict.

Oye said the programme was aimed at inspiring Nigerians to have hope, despite the current economic challenges facing the country.

While advising Tinubu to take the path of mediation, instead of identification, Oye said peace between Israel and Palestine was necessary for global peace.

“The whole idea which is powered by ignorance is an assumption that Palestine is all about Muslims forgetting that right there in Gaza Strip, we have Christians there too. So I would say rather than take sides, why don’t we just help resolve the conflict?

“So I will say Nigeria should follow the path of mediation, not the part of identification. I will not suggest that Nigeria identifies with Palestine or identifies with Israel. I will say Nigeria should mediate to make sure that there is peace between Israel and Palestine. It’s very important that there’s peace between both countries.

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“Whatever has to be done, whatever role we can play, I will encourage us to play such a role but I will not encourage Nigeria to take sides. For humanity’s sake, let us all work together towards peace and reconciliation.”

Explaining reason for the upcoming programme organised by his church, the religious leader lamented the high rate of depression and suicide in the country.

Oye said there was no better time to refocus people’s energy and minds than the time of turbulence.

He said, “The encounter has been an annual programme of our church and the practice for the past 10years. It is all about inspiring people. Most times, the most depressing part of the year is always towards the end of the year when many dreams and goals people think they would achieve were not forthcoming.

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“We realise that there is a high rate of depression and suicide this time and we thought that there is no better time to refocus people’s energy and minds to let them know that there is something to be thankful about both now and years to come. So “The Encounter” is that period of inspiration. It is a time where we gather to inspire hope in people and we do that through the instrument that is universal which music is.

“We are facing multiple problems at this time. But there is one thing that uplifts an average Nigerian which is good Music. What we are trying to do is to put everyone together and get inspired by God. This year our goal is to make sure that an average that comes to the event is encouraged.

“One of things that has really encouraged us from our last editions is that people have testified that they found solutions to their problems from attending this programme. Above that, we believe that people come here and receive both physical and mental healings.”

The cleric said the church had reached out to government officials, especially those in the security sector, saying the progamme was also to prompt the government to take the issue of insecurity seriously.