The leader of Motaliatu Church of God, Apostle Gabriel Akinadewo has criticized President Bola Tinubu led administration over the current economic hardship and insecurity in the country.
Akinadewo, the Chairman, Board of Trustees, (BOT) Moitaliatu Organisation Worldwide, who stated this while sppeaking during the 60th anniversary of Moitaliatu Church of God in Ondo in Ondo West local government area of Ondo State lamented over the specter of insecurity witnessed across the country.
The cleric who expressed worries over the heightened concerns over the untamed increase in Nigeria’s inflation rate under President Tinubu’s tenure, said the presenr administration has failed in its campaign promises given the current economic state of the country.
He lamented over the rate of kidnapping and killing of prominent citizens and ordinary of the country despite payment of ransom to the kidnappers.
The Cleric however, advised the federal government to do the right thing to stem insecurity in the cuntrycuntry, urging Tinubu to seek guidance from experienced leaders to move the country forward.
He also advised the judges in law courts to dispense with cases that border on insecurity and wilful destruction of another person’s properties and punish the culprits to serve as deterrent to other suspects.
The cleric noted that there are some cases in court especially the ones that related herdsmen destruction of farmlands, banditry and terrorism that have lasted for over five years without any headway. Some of the cases have been forgotten because of the duration
He said “This is not right for the psyche of an average Nigerian . Once you arrest a terrorist or bandit, the trial should not be more ,two ,three months. That is what Nigerians want.
“A redeemed pastor was killed in Oyo State last week while going on a mission with some people. This man was kidnapped and after collecting ransom the Redeemed pastor was killed. This doesn’t make sense in a country like Nigeria.
“A few days ago we sent our soldiers to Sierra Leone to maintain peace. Why can’t we do the same in Nigeria? In anything you want to do, intelligent gathering is the key. It is not about going about with riffles. Once we have effective intelligent gatherings, these bandits, I don’t think they are more than 20 or 30 thousand people.
“They are the ones terrorizing Nigerians. We have prayed and prayed but the government should do what is right. No group of people can overpower the government.
“As long as you are within the 774 local governments in Nigeria, as long as you are 36 states of the federation including FCT, the president of the country can get you anywhere you are. Anywhere you are they will smoke you out when they are ready.
“How come that terrorists are all over the place? They kidnapped another Catholic Pastor in Kaduna last week but he was rescued after paying ransom.
“This doesn’t make sense at all. The government must be serious. If they want to get all these terrorists in one month or two, they will get them. Intelligent system gatherings will get them.
“The government must do what is right so that Nigerians can be free. What is happening is affecting the economy of the country. Once you get them, deal with the evil. Whatever the name they called themselves, terrorists, bandits, or kidnappers, the government must neutralize them for the country to have peace.”
Speaking on the inflation and the rise of goods and services, Akinadewo said the government should reintroduce subsidy to the price of petroleum products and agriculture implements.
According to him “There is nowhere in the world that there is no subsidy. Even in the United States of America (USA(, there is an agreed-upon subsidy. We need to rethink.”
Akinadewo advised the president to enlarge his economic team to accommodate those in the private sector that understand the economy.
” We have many Nigerians that know much about the economy. The president doesn’t need to appoint them officially. Let him bring them together and sit with the president once a month with the economy team led by the Minister of Finance economy, CBN Governor, and others and discuss the naira fluctuations and we all know that it is the dollar that regulates whatever we do here.
“The government needs to do something drastic about that because Nigerians are hungry presently. The president cannot employ everybody. Others can employ but if he is now dislodging or displacing those who can employ people economically, people will be jobless.
“Look at the banks now. They are sacking people. It is the middle class that can employ many Nigerians. How many people are working in an oil company? How many people are working in banks? But once we empower the middle class they will be able to employ as many as possible. Once he does that, Nigerians will be happy.” he said
The chairman of the anniversary, Chief Ade Iluyemi said the church founded 60 years ago at Ibadan, Oyo State capital is where prayers are answered.
He admonished Christians to show love amongst themselves by helping each other especially at this particular period.
A son of the founder and renowned gospel musician, Very Rev’d David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi, led the Central Choir of the church in rendering melodious songs during the one-week Diamond Jubilee celebration.
In attendance were the Governor of Ondo State, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa, represented by His Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, former Ondo State representative on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Benson Enikuomehin.
Others include, Primates and General Overseers of churches, leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in Ondo area, community leaders, the only surviving sibling of the founder, Rev’d Mother Felicia Akinadewo, parish heads and members of Motailatu Church from different parts of Nigeria, press men among others.
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