Prominent Christian leaders in Nigeria have raised fresh concerns over what they described as a worsening national crisis, citing rising poverty, escalating insecurity, and a lack of accountability in governance.
The clerics spoke on Monday in Lagos during an Easter media parley, where they urged the Federal Government to take immediate steps to address critical issues facing the country, including economic hardship, attacks on Christians in northern Nigeria, and what they termed the steady erosion of democratic values.
Speaking at the event, Mike Okonkwo, Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) and former President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, described the current economic situation as dire.
He said many Nigerians could no longer survive on the national minimum wage amid rising costs of food, healthcare, education, and electricity.
He criticised what he called the extravagant lifestyle of public officials, noting that while citizens were being asked to make sacrifices, those in leadership continued to live in luxury without delivering essential services.
Also speaking, Philip Omobude, General Superintendent of the New Covenant Gospel Church, called for the building of a fair and inclusive society where all citizens have access to basic necessities. He further stressed the need for judicial independence, warning against any form of interference in the justice system.
On insecurity in northern Nigeria, Isa El-Buba raised alarm over persistent attacks on Christian communities, describing them as coordinated acts of terrorism.
He alleged that authorities were aware of the perpetrators but had failed to act decisively due to political considerations.
El-Buba called for increased funding for the military and advocated the establishment of state police as a means of strengthening grassroots security.
Addressing issues of electoral integrity, Ayo Oritsejafor, a former National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), urged political actors to prioritise service over personal ambition.
He warned that the growing influence of money in politics posed a threat to Nigeria’s democracy and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure free, fair, and credible elections.
Omobude also condemned vote-selling, stating that citizens who exchanged their votes for financial gain contributed to the country’s governance challenges.
The leaders further addressed internal divisions within CAN, expressing readiness to engage a breakaway faction in the North. They emphasised that unity within the Church remained critical, especially in the face of national challenges.
The parley was convened by Yomi Kasali and Lawrence Achudume, with other notable attendees including Itua Ighodalo and John Daniel.
In a joint appeal, the clerics called on political leaders to prioritise the welfare of Nigerians, warning that the nation was at a critical juncture requiring both responsible leadership and collective action.
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