Let mega pastors emulate Bishop Oyedepo

FOLLOWING the comments credited to the Presiding Bishop of Living Faith World Outreach, otherwise known as Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, made on the recent attacks by herdsmen, and the consequent response by President Muhammadu Buhari that people accommodate their ‘countrymen,’ I think it’s high time we call on other religious leaders across the country to follow in his footsteps and call the Federal Government to take urgent action, especially with the dangerous dimension the trend is taking.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has not done badly in this regard and I also commend their efforts. However, there are mega-pastors in Nigeria, who have the necessary clout to make a difference in the affairs of our polity.

After all, their pulpits are juicy targets for politicians when they come to seek elective positions. They should also use these same pulpits to speak to those in high offices to take the necessary action as it concerns the welfare of citizens. For some of these pastors, they have political office holders as members of the congregation, giving them the needed opportunity to ensure they are accountable to the promises made prior to elections.

It is sad that for a country that boasts of thousands of churches, with attendant followership, many of these mega pastors would rather focus on living flamboyantly, preaching prosperity, without any conscious effort to contribute to making the country better. Big pastors cannot afford, at this time, to live above the current national realities.

Let them, like Oyedepo, stand and take a position by speaking for the people they have promised to serve with their anointed positions. May God help us!

• Peace Johnson, Lagos