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By Vera Wisdom-Bassey
Prophet Anene Nwachukwu is the General Overseer of Rhema Deliverance Ministry, Lagos. Looking at that Nigerian nation he made a prediction that the forthcoming 2027 General election will bring dramatic change that will surprise many citizens. He declared that divine intervention will “sanitise” the nation’s political space and produce leaders who will respond to the people’s needs. He said Nigerians
Prophet Anene Nwachukwu who is the second son of Bishop Arthur Nwachukwu, who hails from Umunya in Anambra State, had his primary, secondary and tertiary education in Anambra state. He has degrees in theology obtained from various Christian institutions.
In this interview, he speaks further about the Nigerian nation and his ministry, dwelling particularly on the vital need for Nigerians maintain maximum vigilance on the collation and transmission of results.
The political atmosphere is becoming chard with attention focused of the 2027 General Elections. What is your advice to Nigerians as they look forward to the elections next year?
The problem of our nation is that we don’t have leaders. Great leaders think of the next generation but politicians think about the next elections. Look at the drama at the National Assembly about the electronic transmission of results direct from the polling booth to the IReV. What are they afraid of? If they believe that they are popular then let them come out. These politicians know that people are not ready to vote for them, that was why they fought electronic transfer or transmission of results as if their lives depended on it.
They put in a clause that will allow them to use manual method to rig elections. You can fool people sometimes but you cannot fool them all the time.
Nigerians are now alive now to their responsibilities. The mago mago that was done in 2023 cannot work in 2027. There is a great agitation in Nigeria and I pity electoral officers who will try to manipulate things, because people will be there and ask you to upload, if you say no network, they will kill you there.
Recall the meeting in Abuja when a monarch from the Southeast spoke about Nnamdi Kanu, and calld for his release. Please comment on this.
I want to thank God for the traditional ruler of Eze Agu of Orlu. That man can be described as a credible honourable , respectable traditional ruler. The problem we have in this life praise-singing, sycophancy where people want to tell you what you want to hear for the benefit of their pockets.
I commend calls by some Igbo leaders for the release of Nnamdi Kanu. So, I am urging the Federal Government to take steps toward reconciliation and inclusion in the South-East.
The traditional ruler was courageous and sincere. He said: “You cannot preach unity when one part of the country feels neglected. If the President truly loves the South-East, he should do the needful.”
Nnamdi Kanu has publicly distanced himself from violent enforcement of sit-at-home orders. Dialogue will help calm tensions in the region.
Now that you are 53 years, what thoughts run through you mind as you reflect?
I am grateful that God has added another year to my years. Appreciate the Lord God for the preservation of my life, favour and growth in ministry over the years. Many of my peers are no longer alive, but God preserved me.
Please paint a picture of the early years of your ministry.
The Biblical account Acts 8:1-26, which recorded how Apostle Paul passed through storms at sea, and people thought the boat would capsize. It did not capsize. He survived, even a viper bit him and people thought he would fall down and die but he did not. When you are passing through challenges a lot of people will misunderstand you and say a lot of nasty things about you. But if you persevere with full focus on Christ who called you, you will overcome.
My early challenges in ministry included criticism and opposition. My perseverance and faith in God enabled me to overcome setbacks.
As a cleric I attribute my ministry’s expansion across Nigeria and abroad to divine grace rather than institutional support or affiliations. My evangelistic programmes attract large crowds in cities where I have no permanent church branches. If I move from Lagos to Sokoto, Calabar or Enugu, venues are filled even where I have no church. It is not by power but by grace.
It is said that some ministers now engage in ungodly practices to attract large crowds. What can you say about this?
The foundation of everything matters, and a house that does not have a solid foundation must crack. There is no crack in our ministry because our foundation was built on Christ, which was established by Bishop Arthur Nwachukwu and who was my spiritual father and mine mentor. The strong spiritual foundation he laid continues to guide our ministry work. My father taught me that the more God blesses you, the more humble you should become.
What is your advice to younger ministers who are coming up?
People should know that trusting man cannot lead you to anywhere, but trusting God will grant you that which you so desire. The problem we have is that we trust big names more than God. I always tell my young pastors if you invite big names to the church, crowd will come but when they go, crowd will go. Pray that God will give you something that will attract crowds to you. I want to caution against relying on influential personalities, financial inducements or questionable spiritual practices to attract followers.
Anything not built on God will eventually collapse. I want to say that a solid spiritual foundation is essential for sustainable ministry. Shortcuts undermine credibility and longevity.
Regarding our nation Nigeria, do you any further comments about the country?
Despite my personal losses and challenges, I remain optimistic about Nigeria’s future and the trajectory of the ministry. There is every reason to thank God. Many people I started with are no longer here, but God has kept me. I believe Nigeria will also experience change.
I strongly believe that 2027 elections will mark a turning point in the political history of the country. I can tell you 2027 will be a shocking year to Nigerians. God will sanitise this nation and raise leaders who will serve the people.
