Seth Udinski, FISM News

[elfsight_social_share_buttons id=”1″]

Yesterday, reports surfaced from the contentious and delayed Nigerian presidential election that the results are being challenged after 70-year-old Bola Ahmed Tinubu was given the victory with almost 9 million popular votes.

The election was fraught with controversy. According to Reuters, the voter turnout was extremely low, with only 29% of the population partaking in the country’s election.

The Oxford Economics Africa consultation group reacted to the results, saying,

Mr. Tinubu’s narrow victory is bittersweet, as his historically low support in the polls could lead some to question his legitimacy as president.

Allegations of faulty voting machines and bribery are rampant. In an unstable governmental system such as Nigeria’s, there is always the likely scenario of a rigged election perpetrated by the ruling party, to which Tinubu belongs as a member of the All Progressives Congress Party.

A less powerful political party known as the Labour Party is reportedly contesting the election’s results. A member of the party told CNN after the results were in, “We are defiant. The elections were rigged.”

One of the intriguing storylines of this election is that Labour Party candidate Peter Obi is a Christian, running for the presidency in one of the places where Christians are most heavily persecuted in the world. Many believe that election was fixed to prevent a Christian from ruling a region that is heavily dominated by Muslim extremists.

Tinubu said after his victory was announced,

It (Nigeria) is the only nation we have. It is one country, and we must build together. Let’s work together to put broken pieces together. This is a shining moment in the life of any man and an affirmation of our democratic existence. I represent a promise and with your support, I know that promise will be fulfilled.

Author’s Biblical Analysis

If you have followed FISM News for the last year, you have read numerous reports on the constant danger facing Christians in Nigeria. Ranging from kidnappings to massacres, Christians in Nigeria face untold threats every day, simply for their fidelity to Christ.

Sadly, if the results of this last election hold up, it appears Nigerian Christians will continue to face persecution under a ruling political party that has, at best, turned a blind eye to the plight of suffering believers and has possibly, at worst, even encouraged it.

There are several lessons for believers in the Western World. The first is to constantly be in prayer for the believers in heavily persecuted regions. Pray that God would protect them from harm and that they would be able to stand strong even under fire, not wavering one bit on their profession of faith in Christ.

There is a personal lesson as well. Believer, you too will come under fire for your faith. Be immovable and steadfast.

Remember the theme that thunders across the pages of the New Testament as you read of the apostles and early Christians who lost their lives for the sake of Christ. The suffering is promised, but suffering is worth it because our suffering cannot even compare to the future glory that is coming for those who belong to Christ (Romans 8:19).

Do not back down on your commitment to Christ, even if it costs you everything. If it costs you your popularity, your job, your finances, your friendships, your family, or even your very life, do not back down. The cost is worth it.

Keep your eyes firmly fixed on the heavenly prize that is awaiting you (Philippians 3:14), and stay faithful to your commitment to Christ. In the end, that is all that matters.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.  – 1 Corinthians 15:58