Pastor Johnson Funso Odesola, assistant general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) for Continent 3, wants Nigeria to completely rethink how it governs itself. Speaking at the church's annual 21-day Destiny Encounter in Lagos, he argued that the country's democratic system is broken and doesn't fit local needs.
The cleric said Nigeria spends more money running government than building infrastructure, which he described as wasteful. "The democracy we are running was imposed on us, and we don't even know how to run it," Odesola told the congregation at RCCG Dominion Cathedral in Ipaja.
He pointed to successful hybrid systems in Arab nations that mix traditional leadership with modern governance structures. Odesola suggested Nigeria should return to regional governance, praising the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo's achievements during the regional government era.
"What Chief Obafemi Awolowo built still stands: the roads, the university. People travelled from abroad to attend this same university.
Before France had its television station, we already had one," he noted.
The cleric emphasised that Nigeria's diversity demands tailored governance approaches. He urged authorities to "think seriously" about reforms and to "mix the government" to suit the nation's unique circumstances.
Odesola also complained about unfair pay in the security sector. He highlighted that political appointees with little experience earn millions while security personnel who spent years in service earn far less.
"A politician who was a carpenter yesterday earns millions, while the person who has been in the force and entered as a graduate collects peanuts. That's not fair at all," he said.
He called on all levels of government to drastically reduce the cost of governance and manage resources more wisely. The RCCG leader stressed that better compensation and treatment for security personnel must become a priority.
On electoral participation, Odesola revealed that the RCCG has established a Directorate of Politics and Governance following guidance from the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN). The directorate aims to provide political education to church members ahead of elections.
"We have core objectives that include civic education, encouraging members to register, collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and vote," Odesola explained. "As Christians, we cannot afford to act ignorantly."
He stressed that voting is a Christian responsibility and that those who don't vote lose the right to criticise government decisions. Odesola quoted scripture: "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
Despite his sharp criticism of Nigeria's governance structures, the cleric emphasised that prayer remains essential for national transformation. He said citizens must also speak up respectfully when necessary to drive meaningful change.
