2023 elections will be shifted, churches, mosques need security – Primate Ayodele 

The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, on Thursday, said the 2023 general election may not hold due to the lingering insecurity in the country.

Primate Ayodele revealed that he doesn’t see an election holding in Nigeria on the date set by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, because it will be postponed due to insecurity in most parts of the country.

He lamented that there is no safe place in Nigeria because the government has abandoned the citizens and failed to address the issue.

In a statement by his spokesman, Oluwatosin Osho, the clergyman said the insecurity in the nation is alarming, adding that churches and mosques now have to brace up and put security in place both physically and spiritually.

He said: “Our security situation is going to be alarming because the security network is weak, and the government has not taken steps to address it. Nowhere is safe in Nigeria as we speak; attackers have been penetrating churches and abducting pastors; it’s sad.

“Christians should brace up to put security in place both physically and spiritually because this government will not be able to handle the issue till 2023. The security situation of the country will also affect the elections in 2023; the date will be shifted again due to the security crisis that will be facing the country.

“The fact is churches, mosques, students, schools, and even security operatives are not safe; only God will help us with this issue of insecurity because the suicide bombers and killers are ready to destroy the security network in Nigeria.

“Everyone has to be vigilant, especially in churches. Church leaders must take the security of their members very seriously. I expect the CAN chairman to have called for meeting to address stakeholders in Christendom on security issues in churches.”