A Letter to the Members of the ADC Coalition, from Paul the Apostle
1 To the beloved brethren and esteemed leaders of the African Democratic Congress Coalition, grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 I give thanks always for you all, making mention of you in my prayers, 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 4 knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God, to bring forth a more excellent way for this nation, Nigeria.
5 For ye have gathered yourselves together, even as the early disciples did, to form a bulwark against that which doth oppress the people, and to seek a path of righteousness and true governance. 6 And verily, I say unto you, a house divided against itself cannot stand, but a house united in purpose and in spirit shall prevail.
7 Now, concerning the choosing of him who shall lead your charge in the great contest that lieth ahead, I beseech you, brethren, by the mercies of God, 8 that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 9 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, 10 that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
11 Consider ye, therefore, amongst yourselves, the servant Peter, whose labours amongst the people have been manifold, 12 and whose voice hath resonated far and wide, even unto the uttermost parts of this land. 13 Hath not Peter diligently sown seeds of hope in the hearts of men and women, young and old, across diverse tribes and tongues? 14 And hath he not garnered unto himself a great multitude of followers, whose hearts are stirred by his message of truth and integrity?
15 For it is written, “The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” 16 Yet, wisdom also doth teach us to discern the signs of the times and to choose him who hath been prepared by the very hand of Providence for such a time as this.
17 Peter, by the grace of God, hath demonstrated a wider spread of influence and a fervent activity in rallying the populace. 18 And doth not the scripture say, “He that winneth souls is wise”? 19 In like manner, he that can win the hearts and minds of the citizenry is indeed a wise choice for the leadership of your coalition.
20 Let not personal ambitions or the traditions of men hinder you from discerning that which is most beneficial for the common good. 21 For though there be many gifts, and many administrations, and many diversities of operations, it is the same God which worketh all in all. 22 And if Peter possesseth a gift for gathering the people, let that gift be glorified for the advancement of your collective purpose.
23 Therefore, my brethren, let your decision be guided by discernment and by the welfare of the Nigerian people. 24 Let your unity be as a strong cord, not easily broken. 25 For if ye be truly united and choose him who hath the widest favour among the populace, then shall your labour not be in vain, and your hope for a better Nigeria shall draw nigh.
26 Finally, brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 27 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the adversary. 28 And may the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
29 Amen.
30 Written by the hand of Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, unto the saints at the ADC Coalition.