Bishop of the Ibadan Anglican Diocese, Most Rev. Joseph Akinfenwa
Bishop of the Ibadan Anglican Diocese, Most Rev. Joseph Akinfenwa, has delivered a stern message to Nigeria’s political class, warning them to stop turning the suffering of citizens into a political game.
In a statement released in Ibadan Akinfenwa lamented that insecurity — though a long-standing national challenge — has taken a frightening turn in recent years.
He urged the Federal Government to take urgent and decisive steps to protect Nigerians, stressing that broken promises and failed leadership have eroded public confidence.
According to him, “The fact that citizens can hardly ever get rescue, redress, or recompense, and the brazen impunity with which violent aggressors carry on their heinous crime (especially in Northern Nigeria), can lead to loss of faith in civil authority.”
He noted that while many theories have emerged to explain recent security lapses, none absolves government of its primary duty: safeguarding the lives of its people.
“When government fails to protect citizens, it is an abdication of responsibility that should not be condoned by the citizenry,” he said. “It is therefore time for us to put pressure on our leaders to live up to their oaths of office.”
Akinfenwa also aligned with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), which has called for nationwide prayers on December 7. He urged churches across all denominations to participate fully, calling for sincere supplication for divine intervention.
“As we pray, the same God who delivered the Jews in the time of Esther, while at the same time executing judgment upon wicked Haman, shall arise and fight for the Church and country,” he said.
The bishop extended prayers to members of the armed forces and security agencies who remain committed to the nation. He also called on God to “expose, humiliate and judge all the saboteurs in our intelligence services and the armed forces.”
He prayed for comfort for grieving families, strength for security personnel, and the safe return of all abducted victims.
“May God heal our land, and speedily bring back the days of peace and tranquillity when Nigerians could move freely across the length and breadth of the nation at day and at night – without fear,” he added.
