A senior cleric of the Redeemed Christian Church of God has called for a fresh review of Nigeria’s democratic system, describing the current structure as expensive and no longer sustainable for the country’s development.
Pastor Johnson Funso Odesola, the RCCG Assistant General Overseer for Continent 3, which oversees South West Nigeria, the Middle East and other regions, made the remarks during the church’s annual 21 day Destiny Encounter held at the RCCG Dominion Cathedral in Ipaja, Lagos.
According to him, Nigeria should begin exploring a governance model that reflects its unique realities instead of relying solely on the existing democratic structure. He suggested adopting a hybrid system that combines elements of traditional leadership with modern governance, similar to models practised in some Arab nations.
Odesola argued that the country currently spends more on governance than on critical infrastructure, a situation he described as unsustainable. He maintained that Nigeria’s democratic system was introduced without enough consideration for the nation’s social and cultural realities.
The cleric also advocated a return to regional governance, pointing to the achievements recorded during the era of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He said many of the roads, educational institutions and other projects established during that period have continued to stand the test of time.
He recalled that people once travelled from different parts of the world to study at the university established during the regional government era, adding that Nigeria also had a television station before France launched its own.
Emphasising the country’s diversity, Odesola said there is nothing wrong with creating a governance structure that suits Nigeria’s peculiar needs. He urged leaders to give serious consideration to reforms capable of improving national development.
The RCCG leader also expressed concern over the welfare of security personnel, describing the gap between the earnings of political office holders and members of the security services as unfair.
He lamented that individuals who recently entered politics often receive huge salaries, while trained officers who have served the nation for years earn very little. He therefore called for better remuneration and improved welfare packages for personnel across all security agencies.
On the economy, Odesola urged governments at every level to reduce the cost of governance and embrace prudent management of public resources in order to improve service delivery.
Speaking on the role of the church in Nigeria’s political process, he disclosed that the RCCG has established a Directorate of Politics and Governance in line with the directive of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria. He explained that the directorate was created to educate church members on civic responsibilities and encourage greater participation in the electoral process.
According to him, the initiative is designed to motivate eligible Nigerians to register as voters, obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and actively participate in elections. He stressed that Christians should not remain passive when it comes to shaping the country’s future through the ballot.
Odesola encouraged citizens to ensure their votes count and to remain committed to protecting the integrity of the electoral process. He added that those who choose not to vote should not expect to complain about the performance of elected leaders.
While calling for reforms in governance, the cleric stressed that prayer remains essential to Nigeria’s progress. He said meaningful national transformation requires both spiritual commitment and responsible civic engagement, urging Nigerians to speak up respectfully whenever necessary.
The ongoing 21 day programme, themed My Appointed Time Has Come, features prayer sessions, Bible teachings and seven nights of vigils. Odesola said the gathering has already recorded several testimonies of healing, miracles and other remarkable experiences, including a reported case of someone being brought back to life through prayer.
He explained that the purpose of the programme is to create an atmosphere where people can seek God through prayers, intercession and the teaching of His Word while expecting divine intervention in their lives.
