A Nigerian cleric, Dr. Charles Akpoti, has ignited widespread conversation across the nation after boldly accusing several prominent general overseers of remaining silent amid the escalating wave of insecurity, kidnappings, and killings in Nigeria.
In a strongly worded statement currently making rounds on social media, Akpoti alleged that many well-known church leaders have lost their moral authority due to their close association with influential politicians. According to him, the spiritual decay within the church is largely a result of religious leaders prioritizing political connections over their divine responsibilities.
“General overseers in Nigeria are not speaking about the killings in the country because their mouths are filled with political meat,” Akpoti declared, suggesting that many have traded their prophetic voices for material benefits and social privileges offered by those in power.
The cleric further lamented what he described as the diminishing presence of the Holy Spirit in many modern churches. “The Holy Spirit no longer moves in their churches because they allow evil politicians to mount their pulpits and speak,” he said, accusing certain pastors of turning their altars into platforms for political campaigns rather than spiritual revival.
His explosive comments have reignited long-standing debates about the role of the church in holding government officials accountable, as well as the growing influence of politics within religious institutions. Many Nigerians have since taken to social media to express mixed feelings over his statement, with opinions sharply divided across ideological and religious lines.
Nigerians react to controversial statement
Following Akpoti’s remarks, social media was flooded with heated discussions. Supporters of his view praised him for having the courage to speak the truth, describing his message as a wake-up call to religious leaders who have grown complacent in the face of national suffering.
One user wrote, “The man is speaking the truth,” a sentiment echoed by another user, Ifeanyi Ifebi, who added, “He said what many pastors are afraid to say. The church has become too silent.” Supporters believe that Akpoti’s comments reflect the growing frustration of ordinary Nigerians who feel abandoned by those they once looked up to for spiritual guidance and moral direction.
However, not everyone agreed with his tone and approach. A user identified as Its_Oladeni cautioned that such a message could deepen the nation’s divisions rather than heal them. “This narrative will worsen our security issues and not solve them. It’s going to divide us and turn our battles internal,” he wrote, suggesting that the cleric’s words could be misinterpreted as an attack on the church itself.
Public divides over religion and politics
Akpoti’s post has since sparked a broader national debate about the delicate relationship between religion and politics in Nigeria. Many citizens argue that the church, once a powerful moral voice in society, has grown increasingly silent on pressing issues such as corruption, governance failure, and social injustice.
A social commentator under the handle Nwaoma Truthmusk01 described Akpoti’s statement as “the new gospel according to politics,” lamenting that “sermons now pause for photo ops, and offerings outweigh outrage.” Others noted that political alliances have gradually replaced the prophetic calling that once defined Nigeria’s most respected religious leaders.
Political analysts observing the controversy suggest that Akpoti’s comments reflect a deepening public distrust toward faith-based institutions that were once viewed as the conscience of the nation. They argue that many Nigerians now feel abandoned by religious figures who seem more focused on maintaining their influence and wealth than confronting the realities of the people they serve.
As reactions continue to pour in, Akpoti’s message has struck a nerve across different social classes, drawing attention to the need for religious leaders to re-examine their roles in national discourse. Whether viewed as a rebuke or a call to repentance, his words have undeniably reignited the conversation on the intersection of faith, morality, and governance in Nigeria’s fragile democracy.
For now, Nigerians remain divided—some hailing Akpoti as a fearless truth-teller, others accusing him of stoking controversy—but all agreeing that his message has forced a necessary reflection on the state of the church and its role in confronting the nation’s growing crises./p]