Renowned lawyer and former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, has openly criticized the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, after a video of him in church went viral.
In the trending clip, Wike was seen surrounded by heavy security operatives during a church service, a sight that immediately sparked mixed reactions. Many Nigerians found it unusual that such a high level of security would be needed in a house of worship. The drama took another turn when sharp-eyed observers noticed Wike struggling to stay awake during the service…
Odinkalu, reacting on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, condemned the act and described it as a mockery of faith. He questioned why political leaders would rely on a retinue of security men in church as though God Himself could not protect them.
According to Odinkalu, Wike’s posture inside the church revealed more than just his dependence on security. He alleged that the former governor appeared too inebriated to stay awake, which made the whole incident even more embarrassing despite the intimidating security presence.
Odinkalu said, “These people who go inside church with a retinue of security protection, like God is too weak to protect them even when they are too inebriated to stay awake in church
This reaction has fueled a wider debate on social media about the conduct of public officials in religious spaces. Many users agreed with Odinkalu, saying leaders should lead by example and show humility when in places of worship. Others, however, argued that security is necessary for a politician of Wike’s status, whether in church or not.
In conclusion, Odinkalu’s criticism highlights a growing concern among Nigerians about how politicians portray themselves in public. For many, the image of a leader sleeping in church under the watch of heavy security men raises deeper questions about power, faith, and humility in leadership.
