Senior pastor of The Covenant Nation, Poju Oyemade, has said religious leaders should not be solely burdened with the responsibility of solving Nigeria’s political and social challenges, insisting that pastors have already contributed their quota to national development.
Oyemade made the remarks during a recent sermon, where he addressed growing public expectations for clerics to take a more active role in addressing the country’s governance and economic issues.
He recalled a conversation with a prominent politician who expressed surprise at seeing highly accomplished professionals, including business leaders and bank executives, serving as volunteers in church activities such as ushering.
According to him, the politician suggested that Nigeria would experience significant transformation if individuals of such calibre devoted similar commitment to national development.
Reacting to frequent calls for pastors to “come out” and directly intervene in national affairs, Oyemade said religious leaders should not be singled out, noting that they are also citizens with defined roles in society.
“We have done our work. Don’t call us beyond what we have done. We are all citizens together. Please leave us alone,” he said.
The pastor’s comments have continued to generate discussion on the role of religious leaders in governance and national development in Nigeria.
