Why I attended Olamide’s concert – Osinbajo

The presence of the Maj.-Gen. Mohammadu Buhari’s running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, at a concert organised by award-winning hip hop artiste, Olamide, in Lagos on Sunday has become a subject of a raging online debate. Online commentators questioned the attendance of Osinbajo, the presiding pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Olive Tree Parish, Banana Island, Lagos, at the event, which was described by many as “worldly.” Such people argued that no “spirit-filled” pastor would find it comfortable listening to “worldly” music in passing, let alone attending a live concert where many of such songs would be rendered. Responding to the photos splashed on social media, showing Osinbajo while the concert was underway, one Shydoo Shadrack wondered on Twitter if the cleric had not begun backsliding occasioned by his foray into politics. “Are we sure Osinbajo is a born-again Christian needless to talk of being a pastor? What was he doing at a worldly musical concert? Or was it that this man has begun backsliding so soon?” he asked while expressing concerns over the development. An entertainment blogger, Segun Oleniju, could not imagine how Osinbajo would have been dancing to the rhythm of Olamide’s songs such as ‘story for the gods’ and ‘Durosoke’. “I thought they said this Yemi Osinbajo man was a pastor? What was he doing at Olamide’s concert? Too much fakeness in the name of God,” he added on Twitter. Following the debate his appearance at the concert has stirred, Osinbajo has replied critics questioning his move. The professor of law wrote on his Facebook page that all Nigerians have something to offer to bring about the needed change the country needed. He added that Olamide was one of the popular Nigerian recording artistes that should join other citizens in transforming the nation. “I met the popular recording artiste – Olamide. He is an impressive young man. We are richly blessed with talented and energetic individuals who have a lot to offer the nation. Everyone should get involved in transforming our country. “It is achievable. Change is possible; change starts with you,” Osinbajo, who is running with Buhari on the platform of the All Progressives Party said. Fans of the APC VP candidate also rallied round him online, hailing his resolve to identify with the likes of Olamide and other entertainment artistes as an appealing and inclusive strategy. A lawyer, Babalola Ogunmefun-Aare, argued that since Jesus whose teachings modern day Christians follow did not shun the ‘tax collectors’ and other sinners during his lifetime, Osinbajo had not erred by attending Olamide’s concert. “So, the Professor (Osinbajo) should snub Olamide? Did Jesus Christ snub the tax collectors in the Bible? Did people not accuse Jesus Christ of dinning with sinners? Mr. Vice President in-waiting, we endorse your political moves,” Ogunmefun-Aare stated on Facebook. Another Lagos-based respondent, Fredrigez Deval, arguing in support of Osinbajo on Facebook, said, “He (Osinbajo) only met with the young man (Olamide) and attended his show. Even Jesus Christ himself mingled with the harlots and tax collectors. “We should not be in a rush to judge this man of God and the status of his Christian faith. Better still, maybe we should leave Osinbajo with God who searches the hearts of men to judge,” Meanwhile, a former Governor of Kwara State, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has carpeted the ruling Peoples Democratic Party over the N21bn fundraiser it organised for President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 re-election bid. The lawmaker representing the Kwara Central Senatorial District accused the donors of contributing to the President’s election purse for the purpose of reciprocating the gesture of the Jonathan-led administration which gave them “free hand to milk and ruin this nation.” “They are donating billions because he (Jonathan) gave them free hand to milk and ruin this nation. You don’t have to be a politician to know if you are donating billions of naira; you are either getting something or have got something. “Even if you still have doubts, one thing you are certain of is that this current administration is clueless. Come February 2015, Nigerians should donate their votes to change the system,” Saraki added in a series of tweets.