Pastor Femi-Emmanuel, the Director of the Directorate of Politics and Governance for the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), has issued a stark warning about the state of the nation, claiming Nigeria is rapidly “receding” and being systematically Islamised.
His comments came in response to a recent statement on terrorism by former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani.
​Sani’s Claim on Terrorists’ Identity
​Senator Shehu Sani recently posted a video on social media addressing the identity of terrorists operating in Nigeria. Countering claims that the militants are purely foreign, Sani asserted: “They are Nigerians, they are northerners, and they are Muslims.”
​The former Kaduna Central lawmaker and known human rights activist maintained that the total number of individuals terrorising the nation is not more than 5,000, adding, “What should be done is for us to find a way of bringing an end to them.”
​Pastor Femi-Emmanuel’s Alarm
​Responding to Sani’s remarks, Pastor Femi-Emmanuel, who is also the founder of Living Spring International Churches and a former Deputy Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, expressed profound concern over the extent of the terrorists’ influence, which he described as a “Jihadist” agenda.
​In a terse note made available to Church Times, Pastor Femi-Emmanuel laid out his fears: staring that they jihadists have infiltrated the political space, the economy and the military. He alleged that “Jihadists are taking over our Political space, especially in The National Assembly and Party leadership.”
On Economic Control he pointed to the proliferation of Islamic banks in the country, including Jaiz Bank Plc, TAJBank Plc, Lotus Bank Plc, and Alternative Bank. He also cited the use of “Sukuk loans for various projects all over the country” as evidence of this economic shift.
He claimed the military and Nigeria’s security architecture are “pro Muslim north.”
​A Church ‘Fast Asleep’
​Pastor Emmanuel concluded with a bleak outlook for the nation and the Christian community, stating, “It’s only a matter of time for Nigeria to become another Turkey.”
​He heavily criticised church leaders for being complacent: “Church fathers, Senior and Lead Pastors are fast asleep celebrating the crowd which they see as success.”
​”Nigeria is going, going, going. Churches in Nigeria going, going, going. It is unfortunate that before our very eyes Nigeria is being Islamised. The Jihadist are taking over.” Emmanuel stated.
​The Agenda and the Distractions
​The PFN director claimed that the northern Fulani Muslims have already achieved 75% of their agenda while the church remains fragmented.
​”They don’t mind our noise and wealth. Our huge Sunday attendances do not disturb them as long as we don’t get to governance. They know governance controls everything,” he wrote, accusing the church of being preoccupied with internal criticism, celebrating crowds, building large sanctuaries, and pursuing wealth and media presence.
​Further Concerns
​Pastor Femi-Emmanuel highlighted several specific instances he believes signify an Islamisation drive: He noted the existence of 12 northern states, including Kwara, operating as Sharia republics.
He claimed that Ibadan Imams have brought in controversial cleric Sheik Ahmad Gumi to help secure the next election, linking this move to the actions of former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, who he said “engaged Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf to help him win election and later abandoned him and trouble started. Yusuf was arrested and died in police custody which led to the emergence of Abubakar Shekau as leader of the group.
The Miyetty Allah” on the other hand according to Femi-Emmanuel were hired by the APC to bring in Islamic jihadist fighters to help unseat the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
He recalled that during the last Ramadan fast, states in the north “shut all schools down, Primary, Secondary, Tertiary – Public and private for 5 weeks in secular states for them to observe the Ramadan. This is not a good omen,” he concluded urging the church to wake up from its slumber.
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