The Concerned Christian Youth Forum has strongly criticized activist and politician Omoyele Sowore over what it describes as disrespectful and offensive remarks against esteemed Christian leaders in Nigeria.
In a statement released on Monday, the forum expressed deep disappointment with Sowore’s comments, labeling them as baseless and completely unacceptable.
Signed by its Convener, Adama Paul James, the statement denounced Sowore’s characterization of revered spiritual figures as “failures, uneducated, or jobless,” stating that such claims were not only false but also a deliberate attempt to discredit their contributions to faith and society.
CCYF further warned that reckless statements of this nature have the potential to incite religious tension and disrupt societal harmony.
The group urged Sowore to immediately put an end to his attacks on Christian leaders, cautioning that any further derogatory remarks would be met with a decisive response.
The statement reads in part, “We, the Concerned Christian Youth Forum, have recently learned of the disrespectful and abusive comments made by Omoyele Sowore against Christian leaders in general. This behavior is completely unacceptable.
“To label our Fathers of Faith and Pastors as failures, uneducated, or jobless is preposterous, egregiously disrespectful, and therefore unacceptable. The time has come to put an end to Sowore’s incessant attacks on the Christian Faith and her reputable leaders.
“It is a shame that he, Sowore, has chosen to denigrate the accomplishments and contributions of some of the most revered Fathers of our Faith and Pastors in our country, each of whom has achieved remarkable success in their respective fields.”
The forum also listed several highly respected Christian leaders, including Bishop Francis Wale Oke, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, Bishop David Oyedepo, Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Pastor D.K. Olukoya, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, Dr. Pastor Paul Enenche, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, Apostle Johnson Suleman, Pastor Poju Oyemade, Apostle Joshua Selman, Pastor Jerry Eze, Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, Pastor Godman Akinlabi, Pastor Emmanuel Iren, Pastor Korede Komaiya, among many others.
According to CCYF, these individuals are not only spiritual icons but also intellectual figures with outstanding academic backgrounds and decades of service to humanity.
“Sowore should reflect on the fact that these individuals are not only spiritual leaders but also intellectual heavyweights who have earned the respect and admiration of millions of believers around the world. Academically, Sowore is a dwarf where most of these men are standing. How can a sane man refer to a First-Class graduate of Mathematics or a Professor of Mathematics as uneducated?
“It is apparent that Sowore’s insults are not grounded in reality but rather in ignorance and hate. His insults further confirm that he is an uncouth, uncultured, and unlearned man who is desperately seeking attention and relevance.”
The group reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the honor and integrity of Christian leaders and issued a stern warning against further provocations.
“We urge him to rethink his approach and refrain from further attacks against Christianity and her leaders. The Concerned Christian Youth Forum will not stand idly by and watch our Faith and leaders disrespected and maligned by Sowore.
“This is to serve as a strong note of warning to Omoyele Sowore and his ilk that any further attacks on Christianity or Christian leaders will be met with a stronger response. Sowore should be mindful that his misguided words and actions have far-reaching consequences, even capable of causing a breakdown of law and order. He should be held accountable for his reckless, rascally, and ignoble role in inciting social and religious disturbance in a volatile society such as ours.
“We, the Concerned Christian Youth Forum, stand in solidarity with our Christian Leaders and our Faith. We will not tolerate any further attacks against them, and we will continue to defend their honor and integrity. We wish to draw the attention of the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the potential danger of Sowore’s rascality, especially as it borders on religious sensitivity and its implications for national peace and security.”
CCYF urged the authorities to take note of the potential threats such inflammatory remarks pose to national harmony.
