From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The son of Nigeria’s first elected vice president, late Dr Alex Ekwueme, Apostle Goodheart Obi Ekwueme, has issued a pointed Easter challenge to President Bola Tinubu and other Nigerian leaders, urging them to demonstrate greater sensitivity to the struggles of ordinary citizens and to lead with sacrifice during these difficult times.
He emphasised that true leadership requires being in touch with the realities faced by the people and called on leaders to reduce government expenses and avoid indulging in excessive perks while asking Nigerians to make sacrifices.
Fielding questions from journalists after the Easter Sunday Service, Ekwueme, who is the Apostolic Lead of Revival House of Glory International Church (RHOGIC), said: “I challenge the leadership of this country to rise to be most sensitive to the plight of the people, because sometimes when you are a leader, whether in the body of politics, you can be desensitised to what people are going through. That is wrong. Every true leader should be able to be in touch with the reality of the people,” he declared.
The cleric called on the government officials to cut down on the cost of governance, emphasising that leaders must not ask citizens to sacrifice, while they themselves enjoy comfort and perks.
“I challenge the leadership of this nation at this time to be more sensitive to the plight of the people, number one. Number two, to cut down on the expense of running the government. For where we are, if you ask the people to make sacrifices, you don’t take the chunk to take care of yourself and leave pittance or so small for the people. So, if they are challenging Nigerians to sacrifice at this time, they should be exemplary and cut down on the perks and the comfort to run a government,” he said.
His call echoes growing demands across Nigeria for accountability, good governance, and servant leadership.
Ekwueme also underscored the profound significance of Resurrection Day for Christians, calling it a pivotal moment of hope and renewal in the face of Nigeria’s ongoing hardships.
Speaking on the meaning of Easter, he explained: “This day is very major for Christianity. Two major dates: one, the birth of Jesus, which we celebrate globally in December, but this is very pivotal. Easter speaks of His death, His burial and resurrection.”
He emphasised the uniqueness of the resurrection, saying, “Death is not so much a phenomenon, because everybody dies, but not everybody rises. Jesus did die, He was buried, He rose again. That speaks of possibilities that dead things can and will come alive.”
He added, “For believers, this resurrection power offers real hope in their daily struggles. No matter what is dead in our lives momentarily, health, finances, marriage, whatever it is, we can take advantage of that power that rose Christ from the dead, and that will work in our lives as a present day reality,” he said.
Addressing the current realities in Nigeria, Ekwueme acknowledged the resilience of the Nigerian people but also the deep pain many hide. “Nigeria has gone through very difficult times beyond what anybody can imagine. Nigerians, as you know, are quite resilient, they can stay strong, but really, really beneath their faces is tears and pain.”
He drew a powerful parallel to the biblical story of Ezekiel’s valley of dry bones, where lifelessness was transformed into a mighty army. “Resurrection speaks on possibilities that dead things have come to life. So, for me, there’s hope for a dear country that no matter how difficult things are, there’s still possibilities of a brighter future. The story was told in Ezekiel 37 about the valley of dry bones. I pray for my dear country, as a leader and as one of the voices of clergy, that God will show our country mercy this season, quicken things that look like they’re dying and give our country hope and life again.”