A Lagos-based cleric, Felix Adunpe, says the spiritual siege caused by Nigeria’s hosting of the Festival of Arts and Culture Nigeria in 1977 remains the country’s problem, and not failures of successive governments.

He, therefore, said that Nigeria needed deliverance from self-imposed bondage through the hosting of the festival.

Adunpe, who is an evangelist and general overseer of Signs and Wonders Prayer Ministries Evangelical for All Nations, spoke in an interview with journalists.

According to a statement on Friday, the clergyman said the problems plaguing Nigeria would not be fixed by merely removing President Muhammadu Buhari and replacing him in 2019.

He said it would amount to falsehood to believe that periodic change in government would bring the desired progress and development to the country.

The general overseer said, “We need to come together and pray to God, regardless of our religious beliefs, if we must move forward as a nation.

“We have tried both military and civilian governments, yet hope of better life for Nigerians remains a mirage. Nigeria must be redeemed from sin of glorifying idols above God; we must pray for the country to be free from all forms of demonic powers troubling the country since the hosting of FESTAC in 1977.”

The cleric, who said God had directed him to hold an interdenominational crusade, tagged ‘Nigeria Must Be Redeemed’ in Osun State, urged Nigerians to pray unto God for the liberation of the country, saying if all would join in prayer and fasting, the country would move forward.