The General Supervisor of ThankGod Awaited Liberation Ministry, Ikeja, Lagos, has warned of impending calamity coming upon mankind as an expression of God’s anger over monumental acts of injustice, impoverishment and systemic exploitation of the masses and shedding of innocent blood due to the selfish ambition of political leaders, often perpetrated with the covert support of leading clerics.

Prophet Francis Onwudiwe Otukwu gave the warning in his first Sunday of the year message at their 37A, Adekoya Street, Ogba worship centre. He berated African leaders who would rather sacrifice the lives of their citizens and deepen their suffering than honour their statutory tenure of office. On the state of the economy, he advised Nigerians to be braced for harder times ahead, adding: “What we are experiencing now is just a tip of the iceberg. The current economic downturn will not get better soon. However, there is hope for those loyal to the world of justice; that is, people who are on the narrow path leading to the Kingdom of God in accordance with Matthew 7: 13-14 and Luke 17:20.”

While commending President Muhammadu Buhari for his anti-corruption campaign and commitment to ending the Boko Haram insurgency, the cleric strongly condemned what he described as the orgy of corruption during the immediate past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. He queried: “How do you justify a situation where our soldiers were sent to the war front ill-equipped and poorly motivated, to face ravaging terrorists who are armed with sophisticated weapons, while billions of naira appropriated for arms and ammunition were shared and squandered by party chieftains and public office holders?”

Prophet Otukwu, who never hid his disdain for evil leaders – including “religious chieftains who wine and dine with any government in power and speak from both sides of their mouths” – charged the President to disregard their so-called support, as well as that of monarchs most of whom he said benefitted immensely from the corrupt Jonathan administration. He, therefore, advised Buhari not to entertain any pleas of forgiveness from religious and traditional rulers on behalf of the discredited officials.

His words: “These men should be made to face the full wrath of the law. They knew what they were doing when they converted to personal use monies meant for prosecution of the war against terrorists who had killed hundreds and rendered thousands of Nigerians homeless; as well as provision of infrastructure, especially roads, education and health care. They enriched themselves, their families and cronies, leaving the nation poorer and more undeveloped. Ironically, such criminals and economic saboteurs are celebrated in their communities, churches and mosques, while their monarchs adorn them with traditional titles. The God of justice will neither spare nor show mercy to this category of sinners.”

•Photo shows Prophet Otukwu.

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