Suleman: Jonathan Saved his Name by Conceding Defeat
ApostleJohnsonSulemanisthefounderandpresidentofOmegaFireMinistriesinAuchi,EdoState.Heisamanknownforsaying his piece on crucial issues and most of his prophecies regarding the country have come to reality. In this interview with a group of editors,Sulemang
You have been in the news of late for some of your utterances perceived to be critical of the incoming administration. This much was exhibited when you said, “Nigerians might stone Buhari in the next six months.” What is your take on this?
As an oracle of God, it is not in my place to take sides unnecessarily. But I have realised a very disturbing trend in the media, which is the way and manner people are misquoted either to sell their medium or to blackmail. And again, it could still be a function of lack of comprehension by some people. What I have to say is that I can be held responsible for my words and actions, but I can’t be held responsible for your lack of comprehension. In that said interview, what I said was that in the next six months, people may stone Buhari because of lack of patience and high expectations. I also said because of the fact that the large chunk of the followership Buhari has are youths and young people, young people don’t believe in progressive change, they want change. Is that a prophecy? Say after six months there is significant progress in the country, part of the expectations might have been realised and there would be no need for engaging the president. I think some of these things are common sense.
Another issue that was also in the public domain was that you said President Jonathan would win the elections, and he lost.
I believe who ever said that, probably, did out of sheer mischief. For the records, I personally told President Jonathan to concede defeat and that he would not win. If you watch that prophecy manual, I said very clearly that President Jonathan would not win but that the man that would win would not be given. Also bear in mind that I came out in the Vanguard Newspapers, particularly, of January 12, 2013. I came out to advise the president not to contest in 2015. I specifically said, “Those who are pushing him now, they want to destroy him. I am not saying this out of any personal animosity. I am saying this now because it can be averted. He should seek counsel. I love him but destiny has to be taken very sacrosanct. So I believe that if he asks for counsel, people can help him not to run for the presidency in 2015.” But did he seek counsel? No, he didn’t and not to the best of my knowledge. And again, I read in the paper and even online on what I said and didn’t say. I recall, immediately after the presidential election and results were still been collated, I said PDP won’t win but let’s hope the winner will rule because I don’t see Buhari ruling and even if he rules, I don’t see him lasting in power. I repeated it and some of the APC leaders contacted me. I told them verbatim that God told me this man is not well and that you people are evil. I am not particular about any political party. But I am particular about the will and purpose of God
What about the insinuation in some quarters about Nigerian preachers and the craze for prophesying. What do you have to say?
Prophecy is a gift from God. It’s not something you learn over time. It is mystery and not something everybody understands or should understand.
You were quoted recently as saying, “If a man gives 50 predictions and 40 of them come to pass, that is a pass mark.” Does that mean God reneges on some of His words?
It is unfortunate that they got me wrong! I was talking about young prophets whom I felt shouldn’t be criticised but encouraged and that was why I said if 60 per cent of their prophecies come to pass, then it is a pass mark. I am an authority in the prophetic. I couldn’t have said that about myself. Only this year, I have travelled to over 20 countries in the world and the supernatural power of God was visibly and tangibly displayed through diverse healings, prophecies and the revelation of the word. The truth is that, apart from being a prophet of God, I am a trained journalist with a Ph.D. The words of God are “Ye and Amen.” I stand by my prophecies 100 per cent. Clairvoyants and spiritualists, whose messages fail to match the details nor do they include a call to repentance, are the ones who talk of percentages. God’s prophets are distinct from Satan’s spokesmen and we exemplify a high degree of specificity, a range of projection and there is no room for error.
I remember in 2012, when I gave a prophecy that the CBN governor would be made an Emir. I was called names. But today, the prophecy has come to pass. So, if you don’t study prophecies, you can’t understand prophecies. There are prophecies of 2012 that are happening now. If they don’t come to pass that year, it may be the following year but we have to be patient.
There is also this perception that some top pastors belong to one cult or the other. What is your take on that?
That is stale news, perhaps. We are just like that, naturally. We doubt and ascribe almost everything to black magic or occultism. This is not to say some so called pastors have not embraced occultism. Africans are used to their traditional institutions, they are used to occultism. Some pastors have gone occultic. Some pastors have gone satanic; some have gone materialistic. So, we should be wary of out-of- the blues pastors. At least, there should be a history and a name. But again, it would be unfair to generalise in such situations and circumstances.
You seem to have placed so much emphasis on providing quality leadership in recent times. Are we expecting to see you contest for any leadership position in the nearest future?
This is, indeed, a funny question. But it may well depend on what you mean by providing quality leadership. I think poor leadership has been the bane of our development. I will like to give a classical example of good leadership. Saudi Arabia is building a new city for $100 billion and a quarter of that is what just four people stole in Nigeria. How can you explain that? Whoever comes up should be careful. They need to cut the cost of leadership drastically. America has over $748 trillion budget, yet has only 14 cabinet ministers. How many ministers do we have in the country? What someone stole in Nigeria is enough to build a new Nigeria. People should get to leadership because of service and not the other way round. The new government, as a matter of necessity, must fight corruption head-on. But as for contesting election, count me out! I have a lot to do in God’s vineyard. As for seeking elective office, I think it’s an insult for me to do that. I am already the president of a ministry that has presence in over 42 nations of the world, with over seven million direct followers. Is that not more than some nations of the world? I am content with my mandate to wipe out tears, restore people to their destinies by the revelation of the word, manifestation of power and reality of the Holy Spirit.
You appear very complex. One cannot say you are either a Goodluck Jonathan supporter or a Buhari fan. Who do you support?
You have said it all. I am a support of God’s will. I do not support anyone. For ease of reference, I was angry with President Jonathan for allowing his wife to decimate the office of the Rivers State Governor with impunity. It was unladylike! In fact, a woman has to be a lady, first, before becoming a “first lady.” But when my son, Governor Amaechi, was using disparaging terms in his reaction to the president, I cautioned and reprimanded him. So, whoever becomes president must first teach his wife to be a lady, in the first instance, before becoming a first lady.
Back to the issue of prophecies. You stood by Amaechi, yet, the APC failed to win Rivers State. What happened?
There was no election in Rivers State, but I know the will of God will stand in Rivers. My advice is that Governor Amaechi and Wike should not take their animosity to the extreme, in the interest of the Rivers people.
What do you have to say about President Jonathan conceding defeat?
He saved his name by conceding defeat, he put the nation first. He wasn’t a loser. That has made him a force. Even though a few people are not happy, he saved a lot of lives by that. The rich would fly out of Nigeria if there is a crisis but the poor will die in the heat of it. And, like I mentioned earlier, President Jonathan did the most honourable thing.