The Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide, Ayo Ni O, has urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity, the rising cost of living and unemployment, calling on governments at all levels to prioritise the welfare and protection of Nigerians.
The Acting Spiritual Father and Chairman of the church, Most Senior Special Apostle, Pastor Gabriel Kassim, made the call on Friday during his maiden press conference ahead of the church’s 86th Annual International Conference and Convention at Galilee City in Orile Igbon, along the Ilorin-Ibadan Expressway.
Kassim expressed concern over the economic challenges confronting Nigerian households, particularly food affordability, unemployment and the uncertainty facing young people, alongside persistent security threats, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence.
“Every Nigerian life matters. No community should be abandoned to fear, and no citizen should have to live under the constant threat of violence,” he said.
The cleric called on the Federal and state governments, security agencies and relevant institutions to strengthen their cooperation in protecting lives, improving intelligence gathering and ensuring that perpetrators of violence were brought to justice.
He stressed that security measures must be effective, lawful and respectful of human rights, adding that the government must also address the underlying factors sustaining insecurity.
“Security responses must be effective, lawful and respectful of human rights. They should be accompanied by efforts to address the conditions that allow violence to persist, including poverty, exclusion, weak local institutions and the absence of meaningful opportunities,” Kassim said.
On the economy, he urged governments to prioritise food security, affordable healthcare, education, reliable electricity, infrastructure, employment and support for small businesses.
“Economic reform must ultimately improve the lives of ordinary people. We encourage policymakers to pay particular attention to low-income households and vulnerable citizens who have limited capacity to absorb rising costs,” he stated.
He also called for stronger measures to promote transparency, reduce corruption and protect public resources, insisting that government spending must translate into tangible benefits for citizens.
“Public office is a trust. Those entrusted with leadership must remember that the purpose of government is to serve the people and advance their welfare,” he added.
On the forthcoming elections, Kassim urged political leaders, parties, candidates and electoral institutions to protect the integrity of the democratic process by ensuring peaceful, credible and transparent polls.
He condemned political violence, voter intimidation, vote buying and the deliberate spread of misinformation, warning against the use of ethnic and religious identities to incite hostility.
“Political competition should be about ideas, policies, competence and service, not the destruction of opponents or the division of communities,” he said.
The cleric further called on Christian denominations and other religious organisations to deepen cooperation in addressing social challenges, supporting vulnerable communities and promoting peaceful coexistence.
He said religious leaders had a responsibility to speak against wrongdoing, promote reconciliation and protect human dignity, warning against the misuse of religious authority for manipulation, exploitation and incitement.
Earlier, the acting spiritual father paid tribute to his predecessor, Prophet Emmanuel Alogbo, who died on July 30, 2026, at the age of 93.
He described the late cleric as a devoted servant of God whose decades of service contributed to the growth of the church through prayer, evangelism, spiritual revival and church administration.
Kassim said his assumption of the acting leadership position was a call to service, unity, consultation and faithful stewardship, reaffirming the church’s commitment to preaching the gospel and supporting vulnerable members of society.