Popular Nigerian cleric and founder of Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry, Prophet Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, widely known as Odumeje, has criticised the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, over his recent comments defending President Bola Tinubu amid growing concerns about insecurity and economic hardship in Nigeria.
Odumeje accused senior Christian leaders of failing in their prophetic responsibility to hold political leaders accountable, insisting that religious figures should openly challenge governments whenever they fail to protect the welfare and interests of citizens.
The outspoken preacher made the remarks during a church service while reacting to comments made by Pastor Adeboye at the U.S.-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala held on June 23.
At the event, Adeboye had defended President Tinubu against critics who accused his administration of not doing enough to tackle the country’s worsening insecurity. The respected cleric argued that the President had fulfilled his constitutional responsibilities by directing the armed forces and other security agencies to confront criminal elements across the country.
According to Adeboye, it would be unrealistic to expect the President to personally participate in military operations.
“I need to make this one clear: I don’t support those who are accusing the president of not doing enough. When the commander-in-chief has given instructions to his subordinates, he has done his bit. You don’t expect him to go and put on khaki and fight,” Adeboye had stated.
The remarks generated mixed reactions across the country, with some Nigerians agreeing that the President could only provide leadership and strategic direction to the military, while others argued that the statement overlooked the widespread frustration over the country’s persistent security challenges.
Reacting to the comments, Odumeje expressed disappointment, saying he expected spiritual leaders to serve as the conscience of society by speaking truth to power rather than appearing to defend political officeholders.
The cleric said pastors have a moral obligation to rebuke governments whenever they fail to meet the expectations of the people.
“I don’t want to talk about Pastor Adeboye because do you know what it means to be a pastor? A pastor should rebuke a bad government; they don’t benefit from it. I’m disappointed with our own set of pastors. My generation feels like a failure. The way I’m angry, eehhh,” Odumeje said during the service.
He lamented what he described as the increasing tendency of some religious leaders to praise political leaders despite the difficult economic realities confronting millions of Nigerians.
According to him, many politicians have failed to justify the confidence reposed in them by citizens, yet continue to receive public endorsements from influential individuals who ought to demand accountability.
Odumeje argued that elected officials occupy public offices solely to serve the people and should therefore be constantly reminded of their responsibilities rather than celebrated regardless of their performance.
“Our politicians are lavishing our resources, yet we keep praising them with the same resources we sent them to manage for us,” he said.
The cleric maintained that democracy places elected officials in office as representatives of the people and not as rulers who should be shielded from criticism.
“Every politician is there to represent the citizens, serve the people, and remain accountable to them,” he added.
Odumeje also blamed what he described as widespread ignorance of civic rights for enabling poor governance to persist in the country.
He argued that many Nigerians have not fully embraced their constitutional right to demand transparency, accountability and improved service delivery from elected leaders.
“We don’t know our rights in this country,” he declared.
The preacher further criticised the lifestyle of many political officeholders, alleging that public officials often use state resources to provide privileged opportunities for their families while ordinary Nigerians continue to struggle with poor infrastructure, insecurity, unemployment and economic hardship.
According to him, many politicians educate their children and relatives abroad while the nation’s education system continues to deteriorate.
“They use our money to send their children and relatives abroad to study while ordinary Nigerians continue to suffer,” he said.
Odumeje also referenced the continued detention and prosecution of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, claiming that individuals who openly challenge those in authority often become targets of the political establishment.
“That’s why they go after people like Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who speaks against them,” he stated.
His comments have further fuelled public debate over the role of religious leaders in national affairs, particularly at a time when Nigerians continue to grapple with rising inflation, insecurity, unemployment and other socio-economic challenges.
For decades, religious leaders have played influential roles in shaping public opinion and national discourse, often serving as moral voices during periods of political uncertainty. While some clerics have chosen to maintain close relationships with governments, others have consistently adopted more critical positions, arguing that faith leaders must defend justice, equity and good governance.
The differing positions taken by Adeboye and Odumeje highlight the broader conversation within Nigeria’s religious community over whether clerics should publicly support governments they believe are making efforts to address national challenges or adopt a more confrontational approach when citizens continue to experience hardship.
As reactions continue to trail the exchange, both statements have sparked widespread discussion across social media and public platforms, reflecting the growing expectation among many Nigerians that influential religious leaders should play an active role in promoting accountability, justice and responsible governance.
