Oyedepo warns politicians: 'The evil you don't stop will stop you'

Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, has issued a strong warning to Nigeria's political leaders over insecurity in the country.
What he said
In a video shared on Saturday, 7 November 2026, the cleric questioned whether kidnapping and shooting people in churches could ever be considered anything but evil. He warned politicians that the evil they fail to stop will eventually stop them, urging those in authority to take responsibility for the country's security problems. He also said any plan to Islamise Nigeria should be abandoned immediately.
Background
Oyedepo is one of Nigeria's most influential church leaders. His comments came a day after he led the dedication of Pastor David Ibiyeomie's 120,000-seat Hand of God Cathedral in Port Harcourt. Nigeria has faced persistent insecurity, with attacks by armed groups and kidnappings in many parts of the North and Middle Belt, including recent attacks on communities in Kaduna, Niger and Plateau states. Allegations of an agenda to Islamise Nigeria are regularly raised by some Christian leaders and rejected by the government, which says the violence affects people of all faiths.
How people reacted
Many of his followers praised the bishop for speaking out, with some saying he was one of the few senior pastors willing to criticise political leaders openly. The government had not responded to his comments at the time of writing.
- Oyedepo condemned kidnappings and attacks on churches.
- He warned that unchecked evil will stop politicians.
- He told anyone planning to Islamise Nigeria to drop it.
