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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
General Superintendent of the Gospel Light International Ministry-New Convenient Gospel Church and former President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev Felix Omobude, has described as horrible, the current insecurity in the country.
Speaking during an interview with some journalists in Benin City at the weekend, the clergyman stated that “Every Nigerian that is honest must feel horrible at the situation we found ourselves. Everybody must be concerned. If anybody had prophesied that we would be in this situation 10, 15 years ago, no one would have believed. But here we are, it is very worrisome”.
In apparent response to those who criticise some Christian leaders and elders for not speaking out against the killing of Christians by terrorists in the country, Rev. Omobude explained that it is the responsibility of the two main bodies of Christians- CAN and PFN, to speak on behalf of the Church to avoid conflicting views.
“It will be irresponsible for a leader at certain levels for example, to call for arms, to call for violence. Violence will give birth to violence, we don’t have another nation. So our restraint is because we believe that a united Nigeria will be the best for us and I hope that those in leadership don’t take our restraint for weakness.”
He said despite the deliberate targeting of Christians by terrorist groups for killings and abductions, the situation would become chaotic and more complicated if Christians chose to carry arms against the criminals.
“The church under the situation cannot call for arms unless you want to scatter things. We will continue to pray, we will continue to advocate. We will continue to also educate our people appropriately”, he said, adding that the Church will partner with responsible government and speak out when things are going wrong.
On the call for Christians to arm themselves, Rev. Omobude said there was no law in the country that permit people to carry arms. He, however, noted that there was nothing wrong in churches and Christians organising protection through appropriate channels during services and activities.
He faulted those who argue that call for external help to address the terrorism scourge would violate the country’s sovereignty, saying Nigeria’s sovereignty has already been violated by the insurgents and terrorists invading the country.
“I heard that American people want to come and help us. Some people are saying it violates our sovereignty. I don’t think that is right, already, our sovereignty has been violated by these insurgents who came from another country and have taken us over. It is like the military itself is infiltrated. So I don’t see what is wrong in asking for help, external help.”
Rev. Omobude said as president of the PFN, he had consistently advocated for state police and commended President Bola Tinubu’s position on that.
“As president of PFN for eight years, we advocated the formation of state police policy. I was happy to hear recently that the president has ordered that that be done. The centralisation of the policing system in this country is anti-development. Society has gone beyond that. When I was growing up, we had a local government authority police. They had their duties, tax collection, environmental issues and all the rest. So, I don’t see any reason why we should not encourage state policing.”
On the recent withdrawal of policemen from VIPs, Rev. Omobude, while noting that VIPs carrying police were necessitated by insecurity, said with the level of insecurity in the country, he would like to see how the politicians would campaign for elections in 2026/2027 without police protection.
Besides, Rev. Omobude stated that PFN had always advocated for modernisation of cattle rearing in the country through ranching, stating that the days of carrying cattle into bushes and people’s farms should be over. He said the present method of cattle rearing is what is compounding security issues in the country.
On Christians genocide, the clergyman said when Boko Haram started, their target was the Church and Christians, with persistent attacks in Benue, Plateau and other parts of the North, adding that the gradual decimation of Christians had been on for a long time but that the situation should not be blamed on the current administration alone.
