March 10: Ethiopian plane crash. Among the 157 victims were 2 Nigerian professors. One of them, Pius Adesanmi, a 47 year-old Professor of English and African Studies at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada, a fierce social critic, whose voice resounds in the Nigerian political space. Adesanmi was engaged fully in the political issues that happened in Nigeria (and Africa by extension), he was a sought-after speaker, very active on social media, unfazed by the toxic attacks of politicians and partisan associates. He focused on issues.

Adesanmi’s death came a day after the most contentious, election that was adjudged as lacking credibility. He was mourned all over the world by Nigerians, Africans and others especially his university. But very significant was the farewell session at the Unity Fountain at the nation’s capital Abuja on March 13, which attracted different kinds of people, including politicians from the warring sides. Adesanmi belonged to none of these, but in death, he brought together opponents at a time when the country was terribly divided politically. Adesanmi, though a thorn in the flesh of politicians because of his incisive way of speaking truth to power, became in death, a symbol of unity, the unspoken desire of all – citizens and politicians alike.  

It is perhaps not out of place to draw some lessons from the life and death of Adesanmi, particularly for the church in Nigeria. By church, I do not mean any particular denomination but the entire Christian community in Nigeria. If Adesanmi remained on the prophetic side of things in denouncing the evil that happens in the political space of Nigeria, and yet was highly respected by both the victims and the tormentors, what hinders the church from being prophetic enough for the sake of Nigeria’s good? For those who make life difficult for others in Nigeria, Adesanmi was a thorn in the flesh; his critical, intelligent and insightful analyses meant that those in power could learn a thing or two even if the message unsettles them. The undeniable truth in his message and the satirical humour in his method make you want to listen to him even if you hate his guts. He was no enemy to any one – he spoke for the poor, and when invited by the oppressors, he spoke truth to power. He was audacious on both sides! It is high time the church in Nigeria started standing really for the poor, and speaking truth to power. Now, this is not the time for sectarianism in which particular churches or Christian leaders would do a public ‘mea culpa’ and count themselves as the only ones on the side of the poor. No! Not at all! Rather, it is time for the church, the ecumenical community, to come together and drive the agenda of social transformation through what I would call political prophecy.

Political prophecyfor the church is not about telling the future. We already know that the future is not looking good at all, should Nigeria continue in this present political trajectory. So, that is settled! Political prophecywould rather imply speaking truth to power; it would imply not taking up the job of political praise-singing; it would mean having a critical distance towards those who over the years have contributed in pillaging our common wealth; it would mean not accepting donations that come from the state purse unless it is for an official service for the common good of the society; it would mean speaking with relatively one voice against what is evil both within the church and outside of it; it would mean striving as much as possible to be a responsible, accountable and exemplary community; it would mean doing social analysis and teaching the people their political duty; it would mean perishing the thoughts of sectarian successes which further devalues the Gospel we preach; and it would mean to always take sides with the poor, the marginalized, the oppressed, and the rejected ones in the society as Jesus would always do. The church in her prophetic mission has no business defending the State, even when the State does well. Her business is to constantly challenge the State to keep doing better. Political prophecyis about being the watchdog of the society on the basis of the Gospel, so that God’s kingdom, in its immanence, will be made manifest in the country – turning it into a place where suffering is radically reduced and the well-being of all is promoted.

Thank you Pius Adesanmi for being a light even in death!