ABUJA, Nigeria (FN) — The national president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, said Sunday that Nigeria would have collapsed without the prayers of its citizens, calling spiritual intercession the country’s greatest defense against political and social turmoil.
Speaking at a national prayer gathering in Abuja, Oke described prayers as the invisible force holding the nation together amid economic hardship, insecurity, and political discontent.
“The moment we stop praying, evil will take over,” Oke said. “The prayers of believers have prevented the enemy from taking over our nation. Without divine mercy, Nigeria would have ceased to exist.”
He warned that the country’s crises — from inflation to banditry — require not only good governance but also spiritual renewal. “Prayer alone is not enough, but it has been a weapon of stability and hope,” he said.
Other senior clergy echoed his remarks, though some urged that prayer be matched with practical leadership reforms. Archbishop Daniel Okoh, president of the Christian Association of Nigeria, said while the church continues to intercede for the country, “leaders must also address corruption, poverty, and injustice if prayers are to have lasting impact.”
In contrast, Reverend Gideon Para-Mallam, a prominent evangelical leader, said Nigeria’s resilience is evidence of “divine intervention,” adding that “the moral fabric of society would have completely unraveled if not for consistent national prayers.”
Government officials also responded to Oke’s comments. The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, said the administration “recognizes the role of faith communities in sustaining national unity” and praised religious groups for promoting peace during difficult times.
“The government appreciates the prayers of all Nigerians,” Idris said in a statement. “But prayer must be accompanied by a collective commitment to lawful conduct, productivity, and tolerance.”
A senior aide to President Bola Tinubu, who asked not to be named, said the president “believes in the power of prayer” but is focused on policies that will “restore economic confidence and reduce hardship.”
Oke also emphasized the role of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria in national development, noting that Pentecostal churches operate many of the country’s private universities and hospitals. “We are not just praying; we are building schools, hospitals, and transforming lives,” he said.
The bishop called on Nigerians to rise above religious and ethnic divisions, urging unity and moral responsibility. “We do not want Muslims to die; we do not want Christians to die. Every life matters,” he said.
He ended with a message of hope, declaring that faith and justice remain essential to Nigeria’s survival. “Nigeria will not fail,” Oke said. “As long as we keep praying and acting with integrity, there is hope for this nation.”
