Afrobeats singer, Spyro, born Oludipe Oluwasanmi David, has criticised religious leaders in Nigeria over what he described as their silence amid the country’s worsening insecurity and harsh economic conditions.
In a video posted on his Instagram page on Tuesday, the “Who Is Your Guy?” crooner expressed disappointment that many churches and mosques have continued with normal services and sermons without directly addressing the suffering faced by millions of Nigerians.
According to the singer, the situation in the country has become unbearable, with rising insecurity, kidnappings, killings, and economic hardship leaving citizens frustrated and fearful.
“I never ever thought that a day like this would come, that I’ll be calling out the people that I respect so much. But at this point, water don pass garri, the happenings in this country are sickening, exhausting, stressful.”
Spyro argued that religious institutions and spiritual leaders have a duty to defend the people and speak truth to those in authority during periods of national crisis.
He stressed that any church or mosque ignoring the realities confronting Nigerians is failing in its responsibility to worshippers.
“Any church that is preaching any message that is different from what is happening in this country and speaking up for the people and speaking to the government, you are wrong. Any mosque right now that is speaking anything different from what is happening in this country right now, you are wrong.”
The music star further noted that although some members of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria had recently spoken about the challenges facing the country, several highly influential clerics were yet to publicly address the situation.
“Earlier today, I saw a video from PFN, and I think it was Pastor Fola Davies, and the only known face I saw there was Pastor Iren. Where is Pastor Adeboye in all of this? Where is David Oyedepo in all of this? Where is Pastor Kumuyi in this? Where is Pastor Bolaji in this? Where is Jerry Eze in this? And for the Muslims, where are your sheikhs? What are they saying? Where are the alfas? What are they saying?”
Referencing recent incidents of abductions and killings reported in parts of the country, including Oyo State, Spyro said religious leaders should emulate biblical prophets who confronted rulers and systems to protect the people.
“Even the Bible says the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violence taketh it by force. Prophets were raised to go speak to the system, speak to the kings, and warn them. Is it that God doesn’t care about his people again? Is it that God is no longer speaking?”
His comments have since generated reactions on social media, with many Nigerians debating the role of religious leaders in addressing governance, insecurity, and the economic struggles affecting citizens across the country.
