A popular Nigerian televangelist and senior pastor and general overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Pastor Johnson Suleman, popularly known as Apostle Suleman, on Sunday, asked Nigerians to focus on addressing bad leadership and lawlessness in the country, noting that neither religion nor the church was the problem.
In a video shared on social media, Apostle Suleman said it was high time Nigerians stopped the hate against the church and ‘men of God’, stating that “Church is not your problem, face your leaders.”
He noted that there are many countries that are more religious than Nigeria and developing fast because they have good leaders and are not lawless.
The cleric noted that one of the primary ways for the country to move forward was to ensure that law and order take its full course and people face the consequences of their actions.
Apostle Suleman believed that the church is under attack, not just occasionally, but as part of a broader trend, stressing that there was a selective outrage directed specifically at Christianity.
According to the cleric, critics often target the church while remaining silent about other religions or traditional practices, adding that the root of Nigeria’s problems isn’t religion but it’s bad leadership and lawlessness.
Apostle Suleman said people who have left the church should rather be indifferent about the church instead of channelling their energy hating the church.
Noting that critics were quick to highlight the flaws within the church, while overlooking the good that also exists, Apostle Suleman said while it’s true that there are fake pastors, there are also many sincere men of God.
He said it was time to shift focus away from anger towards the church, stating that constantly attacking the church won’t solve anything and might even give some people high blood pressure.
Apostle Suleman said the church will continue to thrive despite individual opinions, adding that it’s more constructive to change mindset and focus on solutions that benefit the country.
In October 2022, Apostle Suleman’s convoy came under fire on Warrake road in Auchi area of Edo State.
The gunmen, who had been trailing Suleman from Benin City, opened fire around river Ole, shooting directly at vehicles in the convoy.
Four policemen, two drivers, a female domestic staff, were killed in the attack.
Following the incident, popular controversial singer, Portable released a new song in which he criticized Apostle Suleman for using a bulletproof car to protect himself during the attack.
In the song, titled ‘Apostle’, Portable criticized Apostle Suleman for utilizing a bulletproof car to defend himself and his family while his church members are asked to rely on Jesus only.
According to the singer, the cleric is not yet prepared to go to heaven.