The Founder and General Overseer of Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the worsening security situation and economic hardship in the country, urging the Federal Government to take immediate action to address the challenges facing Nigerians.
Oyedepo made the remarks during a sermon, a video of which has gone viral on social media, where he expressed concern over the continued killings in parts of the country and the rising cost of living.
The respected cleric accused the Federal Government of failing to respond decisively to the growing insecurity and warned that the patience of many Nigerians was wearing thin.
According to him, the government must stop giving the impression that it is unaware of the seriousness of the country’s security challenges and instead take practical steps to protect lives and property.
“The president needs to act now and stop pretending,” Oyedepo declared.
He also condemned those responsible for the killing of innocent Nigerians, saying victims and their families should not be expected to sympathise with people who continue to carry out violent attacks.
“You can’t slaughter members of my family and expect me to pray for you. I will pray against you and your household,” the cleric said.
Oyedepo added that he had remained silent on national issues for a long time but felt compelled to speak because of the worsening situation.
“The government is pretending like they don’t know what to do. I have been quiet for a long time, but the bubble is about to burst,” he warned.
The bishop said the security crisis had reached a level where citizens expected stronger leadership and more decisive action from those in authority.
He stressed that protecting the lives of Nigerians should remain the government’s highest priority, adding that no meaningful development could take place in an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.
Although he did not mention any particular incident, his comments come at a time when several parts of the country have witnessed attacks by terrorists, bandits and other armed groups.
Communities in states such as Benue, Plateau, Niger, Borno, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi have continued to record incidents of killings, kidnappings and attacks on villages despite ongoing military operations.
The security situation has remained one of the biggest concerns facing the Tinubu administration since it assumed office in May 2023.
Security agencies have intensified operations against terrorists, bandits and kidnappers across different regions of the country, with the military frequently announcing the rescue of abducted victims, the elimination of criminal suspects and the recovery of weapons.
However, many Nigerians continue to express concern over recurring attacks, especially in rural communities where residents often complain of inadequate security presence.
Beyond insecurity, Oyedepo also spoke against the economic hardship confronting millions of Nigerians.
The country has experienced rising inflation, high food prices, increasing transport costs and the continued depreciation of household purchasing power, making daily life difficult for many families.
Since coming to office, President Tinubu has introduced major economic reforms, including the removal of petrol subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market.
The Federal Government has defended the policies, saying they are necessary to rebuild the economy, attract investment and place the country on a stronger financial footing.
Government officials have repeatedly argued that while the reforms have caused temporary hardship, they are already producing positive results in areas such as increased government revenue, improved foreign reserves and greater investor confidence.
To cushion the impact of the reforms, the administration has introduced several intervention programmes, including cash transfers, student loans, support for small businesses and agricultural initiatives aimed at increasing food production and reducing the cost of living.
Despite these measures, many Nigerians continue to complain about the rising prices of food and other basic commodities.
Religious leaders, labour unions, civil society organisations and opposition politicians have also repeatedly called on the Federal Government to do more to ease the hardship facing citizens.
Oyedepo’s latest comments add to the growing number of voices urging the government to adopt stronger measures to tackle insecurity and improve the welfare of Nigerians.
Over the years, the Winners Chapel founder has occasionally spoken on national issues, especially matters relating to governance, security, economic development and the wellbeing of citizens.
His latest remarks are likely to generate fresh public debate, coming at a time when the Federal Government continues to defend its economic reforms while facing increasing pressure over security and the rising cost of living.
Although the Presidency has consistently maintained that it is committed to addressing both insecurity and economic challenges, critics argue that many Nigerians are yet to feel the benefits of the government’s policies.
As security operations continue across different parts of the country and economic reforms remain in place, many citizens are hoping for quicker improvements in safety, food prices and overall living conditions.