Prominent Christian leaders have raised an alarm over Nigeria’s deepening security and economic crises, calling on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency, overhaul policing structures, and ensure credible elections.

The clerics, including former President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Felix Omobude; the founder of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Mike Okonkwo; former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ayo Oritsejafor; and Isa El-Buba, spoke during a press conference on the state of the nation organised by Cross Campaign in Ikeja, Lagos.

They warned that the country is “bleeding” and drifting towards instability.

In their address, they painted a grim picture of a country battling worsening insecurity, rising poverty, electoral malpractice, and weak governance, while urging for an urgent, decisive intervention.

Omobude, who spoke on governance and rule of law, called for the independence of the judiciary, warning that democratic institutions must not be undermined, stressing that the judiciary must be allowed to perform its duties without interference or favour or prejudice against anyone.

Okonkwo described Nigeria’s economic situation as dire, saying hardship had reached alarming levels across the country, questioning whether those in authority were truly in touch with grassroots realities.

The cleric warned that the situation had become an emergency. Citing the ₦70,000 minimum wage and fuel prices above ₦1,000 per litre, Okonkwo said many Nigerians could no longer afford necessities, including housing, healthcare, and transportation.

He also decried the poor state of healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

Speaking on the political process, Oritsejafor criticised what he described as the monetisation of democracy, arguing that elections in Nigeria had been reduced to financial contests rather than leadership based on competence and vision. The ex-CAN president equally warned that candidates who depend on borrowed funds or political sponsorship often prioritise repayment over governance, hence having a comatose structure.

Providing a stark assessment of the security situation, El-Buba said Nigeria is facing coordinated and escalating violence across multiple regions, insisting the crisis should no longer be downplayed.

While citing the recent killings in Plateau and mass casualty incidents in other communities, he disclosed that millions of Nigerians had been displaced, with over 12 million people now living in internally displaced persons camps, with many communities overrun by attackers.

The Christian leaders call for urgent intervention, saying the Federal Government must take decisive action, declare a comprehensive state of emergency on security, and establish state policing structures that are well-equipped. (Channels TV)

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