Stop criticising, pray for govt, CPFN President urges Nigerians

Abdullateef Fowewe

The National President of Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Pastor (Dr) Senior Gabriel Opkako Uyeh has urged Nigerians to stop constantly criticising the government and instead focus on praying.

Speaking with members at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, he emphasised the importance of prayer and support for the government, rather than criticism.

Uyeh, who also serves as the Vice President of The Apostolic Church Nigeria National, shared a conversation he had with President Bola Tinubu.

Uyeh stated that the president expressed concern for the welfare of citizens and acknowledged the hardships Nigerians are currently facing.

The CPFN leader encouraged church leaders to teach their followers to continue praying for the government, emphasising that Nigeria is a collective responsibility.

He said, “I always believe that Nigeria will bounce back again and that’s what we’re praying. For the grace of some of us, not only members, challenging that ‘they’re not doing well, we’re suffering, they don’t even mind us’. Yes, you can see that. Like sun or rain now, some people are annoyed with rain and sun. There are some places where they have nor sun, while some have no rain.

“Well I want to believe that God may not please everybody at every time. Nevertheless, criticising the government does not help us.

“I’ve shared this story with President Bola Tinubu. And he was telling us to continue praying for them, that Nigeria is our work and our family.

“Well some of us shouted ‘Baba it’s too much, it is hard for us’. He said he himself is not happy. That he himself is worried too.

“I was like, ‘you at the head, you at the top there, you’re telling us you’re not happy?’ He said ‘yes, I can’t be happy when my people are suffering’.

“There are some things beyond human or one person’s doing. That is why we’re told to tell our followers to keep praying for the government.”