Pastor Adeboye’s Claim Of Divine Intervention In Preventing Naira’s Fall To N10, 000 Per Dollar Reflects A Larger Silence (OPINION)
By Isaac Asabor
The question, “Where are the prophets?” once famously asked by Nigerian reggae musician Peterside Ottong in his 1989 album, now echoes louder than ever in our society. Decades later, it seems we are still searching for spiritual leaders willing to speak truth to power on behalf of the suffering masses. The recent declaration by Pastor Enoch Adeboye, who suggested that, if not for divine intervention, the Naira might have devalued to ₦10,000 per dollar, highlights the severity of Nigeria’s economic challenges. However, it also reflects a broader issue: the concerning silence of spiritual leaders in addressing the nation’s socio-political crises.
In a time when millions of Nigerians are grappling with extreme economic hardship, the role of modern-day prophets, pastors, clerics, and other prominent religious figures, should be more critical than ever. Yet, it appears many have chosen a path of cautious neutrality, avoiding any form of constructive criticism toward the political establishment. As spiritual leaders called to be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world,” their voices have grown disturbingly silent on issues that impact the well-being of the nation.
Gone are the days when fearless clergymen like Rt. Rev. Matthew Kukah, Rev. Father George Ehusani, and Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka openly criticized policies that harmed the common man. Today, their successors appear hesitant to confront those in power, despite the reverence they command among political leaders. This reluctance has left the task of holding leaders accountable to journalists, social critics, and civil society organizations. Yet, if pastors with significant followings were to speak out, they could potentially drive much-needed reforms.
The Bible provides clear examples of how spiritual leaders should engage with those in power. For instance, in 2 Samuel 12, the prophet Nathan boldly confronted King David over his transgressions. Similarly, today’s pastors ought to have the courage to challenge our leaders when they fail in their responsibilities. As the scripture in James 2:17 reminds us, “Faith without works is dead.” Prayer alone is not enough; there must be concrete actions, especially when people are suffering due to harsh policies and misgovernance.
However, the materialism that has seeped into the church appears to have compromised the courage of some religious leaders. Instead of addressing corruption and anti-people policies, many pastors have instead formed cozy relationships with political figures. There are speculations that substantial financial incentives, such as hefty tithes, donations, and sponsorships, have muted the prophetic voices that should be calling out the injustices of the day.
In these challenging times, Nigerians yearn for spiritual leaders who will speak up, not just for prosperity or miracles, but for justice, accountability, and the public good. Pastor Adeboye’s recent pronouncement serves as a stark reminder that our nation is at a crossroads, and more voices are needed to question the direction we are headed. It is high time for modern-day prophets to live up to their calling by confronting leaders with the hard truths they need to hear. If our pastors address political leaders, whether through sermons, private counsel, or public declarations, they could influence change for the better.
At present, however, our political leaders are not receiving the consistent and constructive criticism they should be getting from prominent Christian ministers and traditional rulers. This critical civic responsibility has largely been left to social critics, journalists, opinion writers, and NGO leaders. If these esteemed figures in society had been more vocal, alongside other Nigerians, perhaps our political landscape, and by extension, the state of our economy, might not have deteriorated to its current state.
Despite the abundance of pastors in Nigeria, evident from the churches that line almost every street, particularly in Lagos, it seems our spiritual leaders are collectively hesitant to tell politicians the truth. Only a handful dare to speak up. The Bible’s account of Nathan confronting King David after God revealed David’s unjust treatment of Uriah (2 Samuel 12) exemplifies the crucial role that modern-day prophets should play in fostering good governance. Pastors are meant to be the moral conscience of the nation, speaking truth to power when necessary.
As Christians, we are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. This means pastors, in particular, have a divine duty to enhance the moral fabric of society and illuminate the darkness in our political system. If our pastors were fulfilling these roles, politicians would be more conscientious in their responsibilities. At this critical juncture, millions of Nigerians are in desperate need of the voices of our prominent pastors to challenge and correct the societal ills that plague our nation.
The days when men of God, like Rt. Rev. Dr. James Ukaegbu, Rt. Rev. Matthew Kukah, Rev. Father George Ehusani, and Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka, would constructively criticize our leaders are now a distant memory. Today, it seems our modern-day prophets are reluctant to confront the political establishment, even when it is painfully clear that these leaders are failing the people. Their silence is not merely neutral, it risks becoming complicit in the ongoing decline of a nation they are meant to guide.
While it is true that pastors are not biblically obligated to engage in partisan politics, it is scriptural for them to speak the truth, regardless of whom it may offend. Pastors must recognize that their congregants are directly impacted by the anti-people policies of political leaders long before they turn to spiritual solutions. While some devout Christians argue that prayer is sufficient, the Bible makes it clear that faith without action is meaningless (James 2:17). It is disheartening that many modern-day prophets are quick to preach prosperity yet remain hesitant to critique policies that harm the public.
The truth is that the reluctance of pastors to speak out may be tied to the materialistic influence that has infiltrated the church. Many pastors are closely connected to political leaders, leading to speculations that these relationships might involve financial gratifications in the form of tithes, church project sponsorships, or “seed sowing.” This influence likely explains why so few are willing to criticize politicians, even when corruption and injustice are evident.
In fact, our modern-day prophets must begin to tell political leaders the truth, regardless of the potential fallout. For the sake of the millions of Nigerians suffering under poor governance, pastors must find their voices again. Whether through personal counseling, written messages, or public sermons, they should engage with political leaders and remind them that governance is about service to the people. By regularly addressing these issues from their pulpits, holding press conferences, or engaging with leaders one-on-one, our pastors can push for a higher standard of accountability and integrity in the management of public affairs.
At this juncture, permit me to clarify the essence of this article, particularly for the benefits of bigots who may misconstrue it to be insolent to the person of our highly revered spiritual father, Pastor Enoch Adeboye. Never, and far from such motive. Rather, the article is set to echo the fact that God is indeed a merciful God, one who never blesses His children in half measures. When He chooses to intervene, His blessings are complete and transformative, far beyond human limitations.
Therefore, contrary to Pastor Adeboye’s assertion that, if not for God, the Naira could have depreciated to as low as N10, 000 per dollar, we must remember that God’s involvement does not result in mere survival but in abundant prosperity. If God were truly at the helm of Nigeria’s economic situation, the Naira would not be languishing; rather, it would have strengthened, possibly exchanging for not less than N500 to a dollar. God’s intervention is not about averting a worst-case scenario but about bringing genuine progress and relief to His people.
Given the foregoing view, it is germane to opine that more than ever, Nigeria needs spiritual leaders who will not shy away from speaking truth to power. Silence, in this context, is not just an absence of words, it is an absence of the moral guidance that our nation so desperately needs.
