Pastors Must Rebuke Bad Governments, Not Benefit From Them – Odumeje

Popular Onitsha-based cleric and founder of the Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry, Chukwuemeka “Odumeje” Ohanaemere, has said pastors have a biblical responsibility to speak against poor governance instead of seeking personal benefits from political leaders.

His comments come days after the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, said President Bola Tinubu was doing his best to tackle Nigeria’s security challenges.

Speaking during a church service, Odumeje referenced Adeboye by name and urged religious leaders to boldly confront injustice and hold political leaders accountable.

According to him, the role of a pastor is to tell the truth regardless of who is in power.

He said:

“I don’t want to talk to Adeboye; I don’t want to talk to that man. Do you know what they call a pastor? Go to the Bible, a pastor must rebuke a bad government.

“They shouldn’t look to benefit from it. We are fathers in the Lord. It is God who makes my voice heard in the world. It is for me to tell people the truth about what is happening. Any time you try to fight for the truth or speak against the evil government of Nigeria, they will pursue you.”

The cleric also criticized the practice of praising elected officials for carrying out projects funded with public money. He argued that governors, senators, and the president are public servants who are elected to serve the people and should be held accountable for their actions.

Odumeje said Nigerians should understand their rights and stop celebrating basic infrastructure that should ordinarily be provided by government.

He said:

“Governors, senators, presidents or whatever you want to call them are there as your representatives. They are not there for you to serve them; they are there to serve every citizen of Nigeria, and they owe you accountability for the job you sent them to do.

“We don’t know our rights in this country. That is why people celebrate ordinary roads. The road a governor or president builds is not their money; it belongs to all Nigerians.”

The preacher further urged citizens not to remain silent about the country’s challenges, alleging that many political leaders have failed to deliver meaningful development despite Nigeria’s abundant resources.

He also praised the late Biafran leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, describing him as someone who stood for what he believed was right at a young age. Odumeje said Ojukwu’s courage and leadership continue to inspire him.

Speaking on the country’s leadership and resources, the cleric alleged that Nigeria’s wealth has not translated into better living conditions for ordinary citizens. He claimed many leaders prioritize personal interests while citizens continue to struggle with poor infrastructure, inadequate education, and underdevelopment.

Odumeje concluded by calling on Nigerians to continue demanding accountability from public office holders and to judge leaders by their performance rather than their positions or titles.