William Folorunso Kumuyi who is the General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, has called on political leaders in Nigeria to place the welfare of citizens at the centre of governance and introduce measures capable of reducing the difficulties faced by ordinary Nigerians.
He made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the palace of Kelvin Anugwo, the Eze Ekpeye Logbo III of the Ekpeye Ethnic Nationality, in Ahoada, Rivers State. The visit took place ahead of a global crusade scheduled to be held in the area by the Deeper Christian Life Ministry.
Speaking with journalists after his meeting with the traditional ruler, Kumuyi said elected officials should remain conscious of the responsibilities entrusted to them by the people. He emphasised that government should ultimately be focused on improving the quality of life of citizens.
According to William Kumuyi,, politicians were elected to serve the interests of the people and should therefore use their positions to address the challenges confronting Nigerians.
“My message to the nation is that leaders should think of the people first,” Kumuyi said. “The politicians were elected so they can be a blessing to us. They should remember why they were elected and work towards relieving the people from the problems and challenges they face.”
The preacher expressed confidence that Nigeria’s political leadership has the ability to respond effectively to the needs of the population. He also said members of the clergy would continue to pray for the country’s leaders, seeking divine guidance as they make decisions affecting millions of Nigerians.
His comments come amid continuing public conversations about governance, economic hardship and the responsibilities of political office holders in Nigeria. Kumuyi’s intervention focused on the need for leaders to ensure that policies and government decisions translate into tangible benefits for citizens.
Beyond his message on governance, Kumuyi said his visit to the Ekpeye kingdom was primarily connected to the church’s planned evangelistic programme in the area. He explained that the purpose of the crusade was to communicate the Christian message of salvation and highlight what he described as the sufficiency of Jesus Christ.
The upcoming programme is themed “The All-Sufficient Jesus.” Kumuyi explained that the theme reflects the Christian belief that Jesus Christ can provide what people need across different areas of life, including their spiritual, emotional, social and material concerns.
The cleric described his meeting with the traditional ruler as an opportunity for both leaders to discuss their shared desire to contribute positively to the lives of people within the community.
“A king comes and we share our hearts together because we have the same goal,” Kumuyi said. “I want to be a blessing to the people of this kingdom, and the king, as the leader here, also wants the same for his people. Together we will share the message of the sufficiency of Christ.”
Kumuyi further described Jesus Christ as the “King of kings” and said his message was centred on encouraging people to seek fulfilment and divine provision through their faith.
The planned crusade is not the first time Kumuyi has visited the Ekpeye kingdom for such an event. According to the traditional ruler, the cleric’s previous visit had a positive effect on peace and security within the community.
King Kelvin Anugwo said the community experienced significant changes following the earlier crusade, particularly in relation to security concerns. He attributed part of the improvement to the prayers offered during the programme and said the community’s leadership had continued to place its affairs in God’s hands.
“We anchored our rulership in the hands of God, and since Pastor Kumuyi visited us there have been tremendous changes,” the monarch said. “At one time, people could not sleep peacefully because of security challenges, but things have improved greatly.”
The traditional ruler also announced plans for the introduction of a new local security outfit in the community. He said the initiative was intended to complement existing efforts to maintain peace and protect residents across the Ekpeye kingdom.
According to Anugwo, the security outfit is expected to be officially launched the following week. The initiative, he said, forms part of the community’s broader efforts to preserve the improved security situation and prevent a return to previous challenges.
His visit therefore combined two distinct messages: a call for political leaders to prioritise citizens’ welfare and a religious appeal centred on faith and salvation. While addressing journalists, the cleric maintained that leadership should be exercised with the interests of the people in mind, while his engagement with the traditional institution focused on the forthcoming Christian outreach.
The development also highlights the role traditional institutions and religious organisations continue to play in community affairs, particularly in areas where questions of peace, security, social welfare and spiritual life remain closely connected. The Ekpeye leadership’s planned security initiative is expected to form part of its efforts to consolidate peace in the area.
As preparations continue for the global crusade, the cleric said the church’s objective remains focused on reaching residents with its message of salvation and the Christian faith. The traditional ruler, meanwhile, expressed support for the programme and indicated that the community was prepared to participate in the forthcoming event.
