Be objective in criticising leaders, cleric tells Nigerians

Nigerians have been told to always be objective in their assessment of leaders in the country.

Renowned cleric, Prophet Sam Olu Alo, the Planter of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Adamimogo, Grace Of Mercy Prayer Mountain worldwide, spoke while reacting to the October 1 protests staged in some states on Tuesday.

“What we need in this country is a sincere national dialogue between the rulers and the ruled. This culture of self-righteousness that has permeated the entire citizenry must be critically and objectively examined. We must not always blame the leaders or the police alone. We are all corrupt except for an infinitesimal few,” Alo said in a statement by Toyin Anisulowo-led Adamimogo Media Support Group.

He said it was a dishonour to to hold protests on Nigeria’s independence anniversary.

“We have no other country. We should train our children to respect their country, not to despise it,” he said.

“It is tantamount to an assault on all the struggles of our founding fathers who fought tooth and nail to drive away the colonial master and usher in a much desired independence.

“We must ask ourselves what we as citizens have done for our country. If we think our leaders are bad, have we looked at the citizens too?

“Though, there is severe hunger in the land but Nigeria is not aloof in this category. We are not an island. Neither did our hunger start yesterday. We are also angered by the pangs of hunger and starvation, but the way out of these challenges cannot be found in staging protests.”

The Cleric who assured that good times would still come to the country, appealed to the government to please not allow the present hard times to last longer.

“Our father, President Bola Tinubu, those plans you have for us, please, let the execution start now. People are grad feeling the heat of the present hardship in the country. So we beg you in the name of God, We don’t understand, but what we have to do is to appeal, that your plans for us it will not be that most of us would have died before it came to reality. Hens are sweating.

“I beg of you our governors, senators, state House of Assembly members, please, attend to our situation in this country. As it is raining, let us engage in agriculture. We have to learn lessons from our present economic situation. Even as a prophet, I have farms in my hometown. Let’s add the wisdom of God to it. God will have mercy on us.”

The Cleric said the people can do better by embracing dialogue with the government rather than protest in a state of anger.

He noted that many public and private properties and infrastructure were destroyed during August #EndBadGovernance protests, saying a developing nation like Nigeria cannot afford to continue inflicting such massive destruction.

He advised the Federal Government to do more to alleviate suffering in Nigeria and compel government officials to avoid flamboyant lifestyles.

“If we must make sacrifices, we want to see what our leaders have sacrificed. Citizens cannot be working like elephants but eating like ants. Leaders must also lead by example.”