Power Over People: Pastor Sam Adeyemi Criticizes Leaders for Losing Touch with the Plight of the Poor

 

During a recent appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre, voiced deep concerns about the growing disconnect between Nigerian leaders and the masses they are meant to serve. Speaking with a tone of urgency and conviction, the prominent cleric expressed disappointment at what he described as a clear absence of empathy and compassion among those occupying seats of authority.

Adeyemi painted a grim picture of leadership in the country, highlighting how political survival has overshadowed the responsibility of service. According to him, many of those in power have become so engrossed in schemes to retain their positions that they’ve lost sight of the everyday struggles faced by the average Nigerian. This preoccupation, he noted, has crippled the ability of leaders to steer the nation toward progress.

He remarked that the rhetoric and decisions of some public officials make it apparent they no longer understand — or perhaps never truly understood — the harsh realities of poverty experienced by citizens across the country. Their actions, he suggested, reveal a self-serving agenda that prioritizes personal and political preservation over national welfare.

Adeyemi didn’t hold back on the political implications of this mindset. He pointed out that the recent wave of defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is less about ideology and more about fear. For many politicians, the threat of losing upcoming elections looms large, pushing them to switch allegiances in a bid to secure their political futures rather than stand for meaningful change.

“Their own survival is being threatened,” he stated, adding that such behavior makes it even harder for citizens to trust or follow these individuals. The challenge, he emphasized, is not just about corruption or policy failures, but about the fundamental character and intentions of those leading the nation.

Rather than dwell solely on criticism, Adeyemi advocated for the creation of systems and environments that can enable more principled and compassionate leadership. Only through intentional reform, he argued, can Nigeria begin to cultivate leaders who are genuinely invested in the well-being of the populace.

His comments come at a time of heightened political maneuvering, with growing public disillusionment over rising poverty, insecurity, and economic hardship. Many Nigerians have repeatedly called for a new generation of leaders—those with integrity, empathy, and a vision rooted in service rather than self-interest.

Adeyemi’s remarks add a powerful voice to that chorus, challenging the nation’s political elite to reconnect with the realities on the ground and to remember that power, in its truest form, must be wielded for the benefit of the people—not at their expense.