Popular Nigerian gospel singer Yinka Alaseyori has come under intense criticism on social media after a video of her urging Nigerians to prioritize prayers over political blame amid the country’s worsening security challenges went viral.
In the video, Alaseyori appealed to Nigerians not to hold the Federal and State Governments responsible for the persistent insecurity across the country, including cases of terrorism, kidnapping, and the brutal killing of innocent citizens.
According to the singer, prayers remain effective and necessary in addressing the nation’s challenges.
“Many people are saying the prayers they are praying are not working. Believe me, prayers are working. Don’t let anybody use you for political purposes. We need to pray. From the President to the last person in this country, we all need prayers. Every parastatal, every sector, we all need prayer,” she said.
She further stated that Nigerians should acknowledge the efforts of government officials and security agencies, insisting that they are working to address the situation.
“You can’t say the President and Vice President are not doing what they have to do. They are working. Even security personnel may have gotten close to rescuing victims, but spiritual forces could hinder their efforts. That is where prayer comes in,” she added.
Alaseyori concluded by urging Nigerians to pray for the country, its leaders, security personnel, and citizens rather than engage in blame games.
However, her comments sparked outrage online, with many Nigerians accusing her of attempting to defend an administration that critics say has failed in its constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property.
Among those who reacted was social media commentator Iya Alara, who argued that prayer alone cannot solve security challenges.
“Israel fights wars despite believing that God is with them. When they have problems, they don’t simply sit down and pray; they take action. Don’t be sentimental about Nigeria’s security situation because you are close to the government. This issue is too sensitive,” she said.
Another commentator, Tosin Silverdam, accused some religious figures of shielding political leaders from accountability.
“The way people are dragging Alaseyori online is understandable. She said the government and security agencies are trying their best and that Nigerians should focus on prayer rather than blame. Many people believe some gospel ministers are more interested in protecting their interests than speaking truth to power,” he stated.
Popular online personality Aproko King also condemned the singer’s remarks, describing them as insensitive to the suffering of victims and their families.
Similarly, Mr Tilekunleyin criticised Alaseyori for what he described as a failure to appreciate the gravity of the country’s security crisis, saying, “Government officials should be held accountable. This is not the time for excuses,” he said.
Baba Oracle Alala recalled previous instances where the singer allegedly discouraged protests, saying citizens have a right to demand action from their leaders when security deteriorates.
Another critic, Omotea, questioned the effectiveness of relying solely on prayers in a country widely regarded as one of the most religious in the world, stressing, “Nigeria has countless churches and mosques. Are we saying Nigerians are not praying enough? A government that cannot provide security, food, and basic welfare for its citizens has failed. This is not the time to whitewash government failures.”
Several other social media users expressed similar sentiments, arguing that while prayer is important, it should not replace concrete actions, accountability, and effective governance.
Mariam, a UK-based Nigerian, stressed the need for practical solutions to complement spiritual efforts. “Prayer without action cannot solve insecurity. Countries facing terrorism invest in technology, intelligence gathering, and military capacity. Nigerians want to see decisive action, not just calls for prayer,” she said.
As debate continues online, Alaseyori’s comments have once again highlighted the deep divisions among Nigerians over the role of faith, leadership, and government accountability in addressing the country’s persistent security challenges.
