President of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Samuel Oladele, has urged fellow Nigerians to exercise patience with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration ahead of next year’s general election.
He said some of the economic reforms the Tinubu administration is implementing may be very painful in the ‘short term’ but could produce positive results in the long run with his re-election.
The renowned cleric spoke yesterday during the ongoing Pastors’ Conference of the CAC at Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State.
The Nation reports that the event brought together thousands of pastors, apostles, and other church leaders across the country.
Oladele noted that leadership, especially one saddled with power, requires difficult decisions that might initially impose hardship on the people.
He said the outcome of such decisions should ultimately be measured by whether or not they improve the welfare and living conditions of the people.
The CAC cleric, who acknowledged the economic hardship being experienced by Nigerians following the removal of the fuel subsidy, asked fellow Nigerians to endure the pain temporarily.
‘I appeal that we should also endure, give them more time, provided that all we are going through will eventually result in smiles on the faces of Nigerian people,’ Oladele said.
The cleric said Nigerians should not lose hope over the current economic difficulties, appealing to them to give the government time to implement its policies and address some of the challenges confronting the country.
Oladele said: ‘I think it is not easy to rule or to be a leader. Sometimes, as a leader, you have to take certain measures that can be painful to people, provided that in the end, we are going to smile.
‘So, we are praying for those who are in government and wish them well. Whether or not the fuel subsidy should be removed, the government knows the nitty-gritty of this.
‘We know that there is hardship everywhere, but when a woman is pregnant, do you think giving birth to a baby is easy? Consider the pain and everything she has to endure until that baby is born.’
The CAC president also said decisions concerning fuel subsidy were complex and better understood by those responsible for running the government.
Oladele urged politicians and political leaders across the country to place the welfare of Nigerians above personal and political interests.
The cleric also appealed to those seeking to occupy or are occupying public offices to embrace righteousness, integrity, and piety to discharge their responsibilities.
According to him, political leadership should not be reduced to the pursuit of personal enrichment or self-interest, but should be directed towards improving the lives of citizens.
‘Let’s not allow the politicians in our country to be deluded into believing that they can govern without God.
‘God teaches us how to rule in righteousness and integrity, and how to take care of the people and ensure their welfare,’ Oladele said.
He advised the political leaders to draw lessons from the Bible in carrying out their responsibilities, saying the scriptures condemn corruption, self-aggrandisement and other practices that undermine good governance.
‘When you read the word of God, you will see that self-interest, personal aggrandisement and all sorts of evils that people commit while in office are condemned. The Bible will tell you, no, you can’t do that. So, let our politicians return to the Bible,’ the cleric said.
The CAC president said differences in political opinions should not be interpreted as a division within the Christian faith, stressing that people were created with different perspectives and convictions.
He urged the Christian community to respect legitimate differences of opinion while allowing God’s will to prevail.
‘God has wired us differently, and we cannot all think alike. So, some people can be for Tinubu, while others can also be against him. Everyone is free to take whichever side he or she thinks is suitable.
‘God has not made us a carbon copy of one another; so, there are bound to be differences in opinions and different shades of opinion. In the end, the will of God shall come to pass,’ the CAC President said.
Speaking on the purpose of the annual conference, Oladele said the gathering was designed to deepen the understanding of the Bible among pastors and other church leaders and strengthen their commitment to Christian service.
He described the Bible as God’s message to humanity, saying its teachings remain relevant to the challenges confronting individuals and society.
‘The Bible remains God’s message to man. Irrespective of your colour, your race, your religion or your social status, the Bible is God’s message to man,’ Oladele added.
According to him, the scriptures guide how to deal with the challenges confronting humanity and should remain central to the lives of Christians.
He pleaded with the Christians to return to the teachings of the Bible and allow its principles to guide their decisions, relationships and conduct in society.
The cleric announced that the CAC has about 14,000 ordained apostles, with the 2026 conference attracting more than 9,000 participants and approaching 10,000 as more delegates arrived.
He described the turnout as significant, noting that some ordained apostles and church leaders could not attend because of various commitments.
‘We have 14,000 ordained apostles in Christ the Holy Church, and the attendance was over 9,000, almost 10,000. We still expect more. Some may not be here for one reason or another, but the turnout is not unusual,’ Oladele said.
The annual conference featured biblical teachings, prayers, and discussions on Christian leadership, evangelism, moral values and the role of the church in national development.