The 2023 election is Nigeria’s 12th national election. The preceding 11 elections took place in 1959, 1964, 1979, 1983, 1993, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019.
The election of 1959 opened the door to the first republic. The 1964 ekection was the second and last in the first republic. The military took over from 1966 to 1979 when the third national election opened the door to the second republic. The election of 1983 was the second and last in the Shagari-led second republic. The military took over again from December 31, 1983 to 1993 when the annulled (June 12) fifth national election took place. That election was to open the door to the third republic. The Babangida-led military regime constituted an Interim Nationale Government (ING) that lasted only 84 days. That was Nigeria’s short-lived third republic. The military overthrew the Shonekan-led Interim National Government on 1993 and continued till 1999 when the sixth national election that ushered in the fourth republic took place. The 2003 election was sehbbbbbbventh national election and the second in the 4th republic. The 2007 election that brought in Yar’Adua as President was the 8th national election and the third in the fourth republic. The President died in office in 2010. Then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan took over as President. The 2011 election was the 9th national election and the fourth in the fourth republic. The 2015 election, that ushered in Buhari as President and 15th National Leader, was the 10th national election and the fifth in the fourth republic. The 2019 election was the 11th national election and the sixth in the fourth republic. The 12th national election will be 7th in the fourth republic.
WHAT IS THE MYSTERY OF THE 12TH NATIONAL ELECTION?
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven”.
The season of the 12th national election will open its door to things that accompany the 12th. What are the things that accompany the 12th? The Bible has clue. Psalm 119:10″Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path”. The Bible guides us through principles, promises, prophecies, and patterns (narrative and numeric). The way the Holy Spirit inspired the assignment of chapter numbers to Bible narratives reveal a pattern concerning the 12th season: 1
. It is associated with wasting of lives and shedding of blood. The firstborn of Egypt perished in the 12th chapter of Exodus. The 12th book of the Bible opens with the deaths – of 102 soldiers who went to arrest Elijah; of the 42 children who mocked Elisha. The house of Ahab was wiped off in the 12th book of the Bible. There was so much bloodshed in this book. Haman plotted to kill Mordecai and all Jews in Persia in the 12th month. He determined the execution of was chosen by lot. On that day, Jews overpowered and killed their enemies. Herod beheaded James and also wanted to kill Peter in Acts 12. Herod died in that chapter. In Revelation 12, the dragon planned to devour the Man-child and his mother.
There was so much death in Nigeria in the season of the 12th National Leader – from riots, explosions, plane crashes and so on. The wife of the 12th National Leader – the First Lady – died in office. The 12th President of the United States, Zachary Taylor, died in office. A spirit of destruction is going to be released in Nigeria in the season of the 12th national election.
2. It is a season of intervention to rescue lives and save people from the troubles of life. God intervened in the lives of Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 12 as they went to sojourn in Egypt. The blood of lambs saved Israel from the spirit of death in Exodus 12 on the night of the Passover. Elisha was God’s agent of intervention in the 12th book of the Bible. God delivered Peter from Herod’s prison in Acts 12. The Man-child was delivered from the dragon in Revelation 12. America’s Republican Party was founded in 1854 (within the 12th seven years of the United States). Abraham Lincoln, the 16th US President and emancipation of slaves in America was elected first Republican President in 1860 – the year closing the 12th seven years of the United States. Nigeria’s 16th National Leader is expected to emerge from the 12th national election. This election is Passover-election in Nigeria.
3. It is a season departures, defections, and parting ways. Abraham departed his native land in Genesis 12. Israel departed Egypt in Exodus 12. Samuel retired and have his farewell speech in First Samuel 12. The House of David lost ten tribes in First Kings 12. Elijah departed the earth in the 12th book of the Bible. First Chronicles 12 is about Israelite who defected to David at Ziklag; before He became king. The Man-child departed the earth in Revelation 12. The emergence of the 12th National Leader ended military rule in Nigeria. The Federal Capital Territory moved effectively from Lagos to Abuja on the 12th day of the 12th month of the year beginning the 12th seven years of Nigeria’s Amalgamation. The 12th month is the last month of the year. There is no record of Jacob having children after Benjamin his 12th son was born. The 12th national election will mark a turning-point in Nigeria.
4. It is a season of hardship which the ungodly use to exploit vulnerable people. The people of Tyre depended on Herod for food and worshipped him to death.
HOW SHOULD NIGERIANS PREPARE FOR THE 12TH NATIONAL ELECTION?
- 1. Gain understanding concerning the season
1 Chronicles 12:32
[32] of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command;
Ecclesiastes 9:12
[12] For man also does not know his time: Like fish taken in a cruel net, Like birds caught in a snare, So the sons of men are snared in an evil time, When it falls suddenly upon them.
Matthew 24:43
[43] But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.
2. Pray and ask the Lord for the positive things that pertain to the season. Zechariah 10:1 NKJV
[1] Ask the LORD for rain In the time of the latter rain. The LORD will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, Grass in the field for everyone.
3. Pray against the wicked who would take advantage of people’s vulnerability in the season of the 12th national election (Genesis 12; Acts 12; Revelation 12)
4. Pray for the unity of God’s people in the season of the 12th national election Abraham and Sarah were in agreement in Genesis 12. God’s people in Egypt acted in unison in Exodus 12. The church prayed with one accord in Acts 12. First Corinthians 12 teaches us to act as members of one body in the 12th season.
5. Pray also for the unity of Nigeria in this season. Israel divided in First Kings 12. In the 12th seven years of the United States, America was divided over the freedom and rights of slaves.
6. Commit to the observance of Communion with understanding.
7. Register to vote and vote for God’s choice.
8. Avoid unnecessary provocation. It was insensitivity and provocation that led to the immediate split of United Israel. Rehoboam lost ten tribes because he did not listen to the people but spoke harshly to them. He gave room to provocation.
