Nigerian rapper and activist Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, has criticized Christian leaders in Nigeria for allegedly prioritizing political campaigns over addressing the country’s worsening security challenges.
In a post on Instagram on Sunday, Falz reacted to the recent killing of at least 75 residents in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, expressing frustration over what he described as government inaction.
He accused pastors of “urging people to pray” while simultaneously “allowing politicians to use church platforms for campaigns,” despite the persistent insecurity across the country.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with us. Nearly 200 people were killed in Kwara, and the president only released a routine statement saying he was saddened. Who has been arrested or persecuted? Nothing was said, just carried on,” Falz said.
The rapper also criticized religious leaders for failing to educate their congregations on political issues affecting progress. “Your religious leader will not tell you that the Senate is currently refusing to adopt a resolution amending the Electoral Act to allow real-time transmission of election results because it would make rigging difficult. Instead, he will tell you to sit down and pray for a spiritual solution,” he added.
Falz condemned the ongoing influence of politicians in religious spaces, warning that congregants are being manipulated for electoral purposes. “They are already campaigning for the next election with several groups. These guys will still go to your religious leaders, and they will allow them on the pulpit to campaign and convince you to vote for the same pattern of governance,” he said.
In the caption accompanying his video, Falz posed a pointed question to clergy: “What are our so-called religious ‘leaders’ doing for the people? At times like this, how are they moving?”
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