By Chinelo Obogo and Lukman Olabiyi
General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has flayed the state of insecurity in the country, saying Nigeria is at war and that no one is safe.
The cleric, in a sermon, yesterday, at the Ebute-Metta, Lagos headquarters of the Church,with the topic ‘Perfect Peace in the Land’ said insecurity had gone from bad to worse, such that even kings were no longer safe as kidnappers now invade palaces to kidnap monarchs.
He said the atrocities in the land might continue until citizens return to God and pray for His reign over the country.
He also spoke against the rise in the price of food and cost of living.
He, however, tasked Nigerians to pray for good leadership and for the land to experience peace.
“A whole nation can be in a storm. If a governor cannot go to his farm and feel safe, despite the security guards, he has to thank God that he returned safely, despite the bodyguard. For that matter, a governor. When we talk about security, the governor should be secured. When a governor utters such a statement, then you know the situation we are in.
“As young as I am, I remember a time when the king was coming. Unless you are one of the very special people, you have to move out of the way. But things are different now. Kidnappers can go to the palace and kidnap the king. Don’t let anybody deceive you; we are in a war.”
Turning to scriptures, Adeboye said: “He said in His word that if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.
“We need to keep praying for our leaders. The hearts of kings and rulers are in the hand of God. We need to pray to God to touch their hearts so that we can enjoy ourselves. It doesn’t matter how much they are selling bread, there will always be bread in Aso Rock, and irrespective of the epileptic power supply, Aso Rock will always have light.
“Why we are not enjoying is because we refuse to do our duty. If you say the wicked are ruling, why not pray that God should touch their hearts? We need to pray that God should lead our leaders right,” he said.
Adeboye prayed that all the enemies of Nigeria would be defeated so that the people could have peace from the controller of storms.
Adeboye’s statement came amid President Muhammadu Buhari’s claim during his Independence Day broadcast on Saturday that his administration had made tremendous progress in the fight against insurgency, and banditry even as he assured that his administration would not relent in combating insecurity until he handed over to the next president.
At the same event, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu called on Nigerians to continuously work and pray for peace in the nation.
The governor while addressing the congregation urged Nigerians, including Lagosians to continue to pray for leaders in Nigeria and for peace to reign in the land.
He said: “This service taking place a Sunday after the Independence Day anniversary is very important. And I think our GO, Pastor Adeboye has said it all. We need perfect peace in our country, but for us to have that perfect peace, we also need to have peace from individuals. It is we the citizens that make the country. It is not just about a metaphorical country; it is the people on the ground that truly make a country.”
Sanwo-Olu assured the people of Lagos State that his administration would continue to do its best in delivering dividends of democracy and infrastructural development to ensure that Lagos State remains home to all.