Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, has accused some Nigerian Christian clerics of preaching hate and propagating falsehood against the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. 

Mr Adesina, in his weekly column, said a “war of tongue” has been unleashed against Mr Buhari and everyone serving in his government. 

Expressing disappointment in clerics who criticise his principal, Mr Adesina blamed the media for promoting criticisms against his principal, saying many citizens now focus on negative happenings in the country while ignoring the gains of Mr Buhari government in agriculture and other sectors. 

“I am surprised at some of our clerics, particularly the Christian ones, since it is the religion I am more familiar with. They speak as if they read another Bible”, Mr Adesina said. “They preach hate from the pulpits, propagate falsehood, generate animosity against the government. And when these things are fully grown, the animus boils over, leads to violence and upheavals, lives are lost. Don’t these preachers of hate know that they are liable, and won’t be found guiltless? May God save us from war of tongues, even from those who should be showing us examples.”

Increased banditry, kidnapping and economic hardship in the country has forced both Muslim and Christian clerics to criticise Mr Buhari government.  

Fiery cleric, Bishop Hassan Kukah, in his last Christmas homily, warned that the country risked disintegration if the president does not reverse his nepotistic attitude to governance.

Mr Kukah, in his Easter message, also condemned the decision of Mr Buhari government to rehabilitate and free repentant Boko Haram militias while their victims are neglected. 

Enoch Adeboye, the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, had also led a protest tagged “prayer walk” and called on Mr Buhari to tackle insecurity  in the country.