Although the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria was created in 1976, the seat of power did not move, effectively, from Lagos to Abuja until December 12, 1991 (12/12/1991) under the Ibrahim Babangida administration. Since the relocation of the capital from Lagos, nine leaders have piloted Nigeria’s affairs from Abuja. – 1) Babangida (1985-1993); 2) Shonekan (August -November 1993); 3) Abacha (19(1999-2007); 6) Yar’Adua (2007-2010); 7) Jonathan (2010-2015); 8) Buhari (2015-2023); 9) Tinubu.(2023 –
December 12, 2023 is the 32nd anniversary of Nigeria’s seat of power in Abuja. As goes the seat of power in Abuja, so goes Nigeria. Biblical patterns for each year of the government in Abuja shows that we need to watch, spiritually, the seasons of the seat of power in Nigeria.
The 32nd book and chapters of the Bible help us to understand some things that have happened in Nigeria since the past 12 months. Today, Nigeria and Nigerians are like Jonah in the belly of a fish. We are crying again for deliverance. Like Jonah in the 32nd book of the Bible, the leaders of Nigeria knew the right thing to do but chose to go their preferred way. Unlike Jonah, they make no room for repentance. Like Aaron in Exodus 32, the authorities in Nigeria have given Nigerians ‘the golden calf’ as saviour’. What we have today is like a mockery of the real thing we desire. Read the other 32nd chapters of the Bible to understand where we missed it in the 32nd year of Nigeria’s seat of in Abuja.
Whatever happened with our past, the Lord is bringing us into a new year: the 33rd year of Nigeria’s seat of power in Abuja (December 12, 2023 – December 11, 2024).
Nigeria’s seat of power in Abuja is moving into the fifth year of her fifth 7 years. This is a core fifth day of creation year. It is also a Book of Micah year. Micah is the 33rd book of the Bible.
THE DIVINE AGENDA FOR THE SEASON
What is the divine agenda for the 33rd year and how should we pray? The Bible reveals six things about the 33rd season:
1. It is a time when people meet face-to-face with the fearful things they wish never happens.
Isaiah 33:1,3 says, “Woe to you who plunder, though you have not been plundered; And you who deal treacherously, though they have not dealt treacherously with you! When you cease plundering, You will be plundered; When you make an end of dealing treacherously, They will deal treacherously with you. [3] At the noise of the tumult the people shall flee; When You lift Yourself up, the nations shall be scattered”;
In Genesis 33, Jacob came face to face with his brother, Esau, but there was no trouble because God was with him.
Second Chronicles 33 is about the evil reign of Manasseh and his son, Amon, and what they suffered. Manasseh became a captive of the king of Assyria until he repented and God restored him. His son, Amon was murdered by his servants.
In the 33rd year of Nigeria, Chief MKO Abiola watched the government annul the 1993 election he was announced winner. Ibrahim Babangida stepped down and handed over to an Interim National Government that lasted 84 days and was overthrown by Sani Abacha as Nigeria’s 10th leader.
The first leader to order the use of Atomic Bomb in warfare was the 33rd President of the United States – Harry Truman. Japan saw what they wished never happened – with the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945
Terrorists bombed the twin towers of the World Trade Center at the beginning of the 33rd seven years of the United States. America came face to face with ‘undesired fire’.
The year 1933 was a season of deadly fiery visitations.
In the 33rd year of Ghana, (March 1989 – March 1990), the government suspended Christian activities and public meetings in ‘the freeze’. The ban was lifted November 1990.
PRAYER : Pray that evil and wicked people in Nigeria will run into fearful things they have been running from. Pray that the Lord will deliver the righteous in Nigeria from their fears
2. It is a season to break up camp and move on to the next level and place. It is a season of progressive movement
Exodus 33:1-3 says, “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Depart and go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘To your descendants I will give it.’
In Numbers 33, Israel’s journey from Egypt to Jordan is summarized – according to starting and stopping points. Three words implying motion (move, departed, went) are used 42 times in this chapter. The word ‘camped’ is also used 42 times in Numbers 33.
The death of Aaron at 123 years, on Mount Hur, is recorded in this chapter. His son Eleazar took over from him.
In 1995, the 33rf year of Uganda, the country established her new constitution that made provision for political parties. That was progress.
PRAYER: Pray this year that there will be a progressive shift in Nigeria and for Nigerians. This year, the Lord is prompting Nigeria to move from camping. This is a no-stopping year. The Lord wants us to move and move and move.
3. It is a season of blessing, redemption, and restoration .
In Deuteronomy 33, Moses blessed the children of Israel before his death. In Job 33, Elihu spoke of ransom, redemption, and of a mediator. You do not need any of those three unless there is trouble. They are needed in the 33rd season. In Jeremiah 33, God promised to cause the captivity of Judah to return and to restore Jerusalem.
PRAYER : Pray and prophesy blessings over Nigeria and over Nigerians this 33rd year of the Villa in Abuja. Bless the local government areas, the states, and the Federal Capital Territory. Decree recovery and restoration over Nigeria.
4. It is a season of judgment.
Second Chronicles 33 is about the evil reign of Manasseh. Although he repented, God decreed captivity against Judah because of the sins of Manasseh. He was the longest serving king in Judah and his death is recorded in this chapter. His son and successor, Amon, also ruled and was assassinated in this chapter. This chapter ends with the emergence of Josiah – the reformer-grandson of Manasseh.
Isaiah 33 is about the judgment coming to Zion and to the Plunderer that had not been plundered. The book of Micah is the 33rd book of the Bible and it contains woes and judgments.
PRAYER: Pray that the Lord will bring down the wicked in the nation. Pray that He will raise replacements who will reverse the works of the wicked in the land. Pray against fire disasters from explosions in the cities of Nigeria.
5. It is a season to rejoice in the Lord and praise His name.
Psalm 33 is a call to rejoice in the Lord and praise Him (1-3) for His powerful word (4-12) and for His sovereign and saving power (13-22). This is a season of joy. May the Lord keep pain and sorrow far from Nigerians in this season.
PRAYER : Pray that this 33rd year of the Villa in Abuja will be a year of rejoicing (not sorrowing) in Nigeria. We have wept enough in this country. Let joy overtake mourning in Nigeria.
6. It is a watchman season.
In Ezekiel 33, the prophet was appointed a watchman to warn the people of impending disaster. News of the fall of Jerusalem came to Ezekiel in this chapter. Ezekiel 33 is about the certainty of the judgment. The enemy struck the towers at the beginning of America’s 33rd seven years (2001) – saying, as it were, “where are your Watchmen?”.
PRAYER : Pray for grace to stand on the watch with your spiritual senses on alert. Pray also that all watchmen over Nigeria will be alert and not
slumber in this year. Pray that they watch and promptly declare what they see.
