Nigerian senator and human rights activist, Shehu Sani, has urged the General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, to allow citizens express their views about their leaders and speak truth to power.

Like Reno Omokri, Sani took to Twitter to say that criticising leaders is the only shield of defending democracy and propelling the wheel of freedom and justice.

Sani also said Kumuyi is a respectable and responsible man of God whom he likes.

Pastor Kumuyi is a respectable and responsible man of God,i like him;But he should allow people to express their views about their leaders and speak truth to power;that is their only shield of defending democracy and propelling the wheel of freedom and justice.

— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) June 2, 2019

WuzupNaija reports that Kumuyi became a topic of discourse on social media platforms after the cleric urged Christians not to disrespect constituted authorities on newspapers and the internet.

Some well-meaning Nigerians who also gave their two cents said the “Man of God” was simply talking to born again Christians and not everyone.

READ ALSO: Jesus, who came from heaven, criticised King Herod, Omokri cautions Kumuyi over Buhari

Many also said gave diverse interpretations to Kumiyi statements.

Kumuyi read from 1st Peter 2: 11-25, urging Christians to reflect Christ in the civil society, adding the government derives their authority from God.

Kumuyi, in the sermon titled “The Believers’ Preservation Until the Day of Visitation” which was delivered at the church’s headquarters, he said that Christians must be Christ-like in character, conduct and conversations.

Watch the sermon below:

See more comments:

Senator, speaking truth to power is different from malicious attacks and spewing hatreds towards fellow human beings to the extend of cursing, abusing, wishing ill-will, failure and even death. It’s possible to raise issues of concern without spewing venoms of hatred.

— Niyi Murele (@NMurele) June 3, 2019

Sir, thank God I was among the congregation… Through his teachings, I knew I must not, being an heaven bound Christian, speak evil of my leaders, including you sir.
And he didn’t say we shouldn’t speak against evil. It is the constituted authority we must not speak I’ll of.

— Kpelumi Kalebs (@KpelumiK) June 2, 2019

You are forgiven senator, because you lack understanding. You don’t need to like him, God loved him. People like you throw words carelessly and one cannot pick offence with such people

— laws.garba (@GarbaLaws) June 2, 2019

Pastor Kumuyi, talk according to the dictate of his mind, and divine revelation to him. However, you may not like his statement because he refused to attack the govt as expected by you.

— Kiniu Ololaiju (@KOlolaiju) June 3, 2019

During those days prophets were playing an intermediary role between the kings of Israel and God, they tell the kings wen they’re going astray jst 4gud govt. So snce pastor Kumuyi is 2scared 2talk about d facts as it affects us and most especially d Christians, let him b quite

— cruez (@cruez1) June 3, 2019

Very disrespectful of you. Unlike you, Pastor Kumuyi is a very responsible leader of millions of people across the globe. Therefore has the right to advise the people, it’s up to them to listen or not. You never spoke against Oyedipo, CAN etc but on the good one Kumuyi. Shame!

— Maaji Idris (@maajiidris) June 2, 2019

The message here is that, it is almost impossible to criticize the government without insulting, saying curses or having great hatred for them(government) which all can lead to one thing:SIN!

— @J_Michaels A (@furious_maeje) June 2, 2019

There are 2 kinds of criticism, constructive and destructive. Pst Kumuyi may be referring to destructive criticism here

— Chikwado C. Anyanwu (@chikwadoca) June 3, 2019

dont drown ur self in some blind religion. When david was king his actions was questioned by prophets, men of God

— JOHNSON MBAIKE (@Johnson_Mbaike) June 2, 2019

The messages of pastor kumuyi is for born again Christian, if you are for Christ the massage is for you.

— Emmanuel Oluwaseun (@myoluwaseun) June 2, 2019

In Pastor Kumuyi’s church, freedom of expression is hardly allowed. Church members don’t wear earring, make up, trousers, etc. And in families where they exist, there is hardly peace because they are always right and everyone else is wrong.

— Obinna (@ObinnaEzugu) June 2, 2019

Whether you didn’t understand the pastor message or you deliberately want to change the meaning of the message

— Muh’d Sayyadi Jibia (@MSayyadiJibia) June 2, 2019

You are right. ?

This is Democracy

People should be allowed to express their views about their leaders. ?

But d Pastor just did so what is d problem??.. ??

Real Leaders & influencers are expected to think b4 tweet.?

No Dept of Thought……

But, Hey…what do I know? pic.twitter.com/N8SoAzYR4R

— Dare Olowoleye (Project Bank of Education BOE) (@dareleye) June 2, 2019