• Demand urgent action on kidnappings, rising cost of living
• Urge political leaders to embrace accountability, issue-based campaigns ahead of 2027
PORT HARCOURT — Leaders of the Anglican, Presbyterian and Methodist denominations have raised the alarm over worsening insecurity, economic hardship and what they described as the ostentatious lifestyle of public servants and members of the political class.
The church leaders called on governments at all levels to urgently address the challenges confronting Nigerians, while urging political leaders to embrace accountability, selflessness, efficiency and issue-based politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Their position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 10th Spiritual Advisory Council (SAC) meeting of Christ Church, Port Harcourt, held from September 3 to 5, 2026, with the theme, “Manifesting His Glory,” taken from Psalm 97:6.
The communiqué was jointly signed by the Moderator of the General Assembly and Primate of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, His Eminence Ekpenyong Akpanika, and the Secretary of the Spiritual Advisory Council, Elder (Engr.) Deinabo Horsfall.
While commending the Federal Government, Armed Forces and other security agencies for recent gains in the fight against insecurity, the council expressed concern over the continued occurrence of kidnappings and other violent crimes across the country.
“The SAC, whilst commending the efforts of Government and particularly our Armed Forces and other Security Agencies on the recent gains in stemming the spate of insecurity in the country, however expressed grave concern over the persistent recurrence of kidnappings across the country,” the communiqué stated.
The council urged the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to end kidnapping and other violent crimes threatening the safety and livelihoods of Nigerians.
It also welcomed the Federal Government’s proposed restructuring of the policing system through a dual framework of state and federal police commands, expressing optimism that the arrangement would strengthen local policing and improve security delivery.
On the economy, the churches described the hardship facing Nigerians as severe and increasingly unbearable, warning that economic difficulties were also worsening the country’s security challenges.
“The economic situation in the country is in fact most excruciating and increasingly unbearable for a vast majority of the people,” they said.
They called on the Federal and state governments to ensure that measures designed to reduce transportation and food costs were effectively and equitably implemented.
The council also urged the authorities to introduce additional interventions capable of cushioning the impact of the economic crisis on citizens.
The church leaders, meanwhile, condemned what they described as the “increasingly unrestrained ostentatious display of affluence” by members of the political class and public service.
They called for “a moral and ethical rearmament, for a return to propriety in public and private conduct, for decorum, for selflessness, for accountability and for greater efficiency in public service delivery, that is devoid of waste and corruption.”
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the churches urged the government to guarantee free, fair and credible polls.
They also charged political actors to conduct peaceful and issue-based campaigns devoid of violence, hate speech and inflammatory rhetoric.
The council encouraged citizens, particularly Christians, to participate actively in the political process and “Vote for good governance at all levels.”
The religious leaders congratulated the leadership and people of Rivers State on the restoration of constitutional order, while praying for peace, stability and sustainable development in the state.
They also urged Christians to remain steadfast in faith and continue praying for the nation, its leaders and the well-being of Nigerians.
The churches advocated the inculcation of Christian moral and spiritual values in children and young people, stressing the importance of hard work, honesty, perseverance and patriotism.
They also urged parents and society to discourage prejudice, hatred, violence and bloodshed among the younger generation.
The council expressed optimism about the future despite the current challenges, declaring that “these difficult Days too shall pass” and that “an Abundance of Rain is Coming.”
Earlier, Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, described unity among Christian denominations as critical to promoting peace, tolerance and development in the state.
Represented by his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, Fubara reaffirmed the state government’s partnership with the Church and urged continued prayers for the state, its leaders and communities.
The governor commended the churches for sustaining the annual unity service, saying their coming together demonstrated that despite denominational differences, Christians remained “one in Christ” and shared a responsibility to promote the welfare of the people.
In his report presented during the plenary, Horsfall highlighted activities across the church’s ministries and groups, covering evangelism, youth development, welfare, education, healthcare, media and security.
He disclosed that the church’s Evangelism and Missions Ministry’s inaugural 12 Weeks of Evangelism programme reached 2,101 people across 24 locations, resulting in 186 new converts, 119 first-timers and 82 newly registered members.
He added that more than 100 believers were trained in Bible Chain Referencing, while the ministry extended its outreach to hospitals, prisons and rehabilitation centres.
According to him, the ministry also provided free medical assistance and repaired portable water facilities at the Yelwata Internally Displaced Persons Camp in Makurdi, Benue State.
Horsfall said the Women’s League sustained its welfare and empowerment programmes through an Education Trust Fund, small-business grants and targeted food-bank support.
He added that its Treasured Generation programme, which caters for children aged five to 17, attracted between 50 and 70 participants monthly.
The Men’s League, with about 360 registered members, also sustained spiritual, evangelistic and welfare programmes, including financial assistance to families of deceased members, payment of school fees for children and rent support for surviving spouses.
On security, Horsfall said the church’s Security and Safety Ministry upgraded its infrastructure following a vehicle theft outside the church premises on May 3, 2026.
Measures introduced, he said, included upgraded CCTV infrastructure with live-monitoring stations, mandatory car tags, as well as a dedicated Sunday police team and patrol van.
The meeting brought together the spiritual leadership and congregations of the Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches in Nigeria for a joint celebration of Christian fellowship, Holy Communion, prayers and prophetic declarations.
The 11th SAC meeting is scheduled for the first week of September 2027, with the theme, “Thy Kingdom Come,” drawn from Matthew 6:10.
