Human rights activist Aisha Yesufu has alleged that some Nigerian politicians have religious leaders on their payroll.
She made the remark in a post shared on her verified X account on Monday while reacting to a public prayer session led by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi.
Activist questions reliance on prayers
In her post, Yesufu argued that many Nigerians place too much emphasis on prayers in the search for good governance.
According to her, political leaders accused of poor governance also participate in religious activities and have greater financial influence within religious institutions.
She suggested that citizens should focus more on demanding accountability from public officials rather than relying solely on spiritual interventions.
Reaction follows Umahi’s prayer session
Yesufu’s comments came after Dave Umahi led a prayer session, an event that generated discussion on social media.
The activist stated that while ordinary Nigerians make religious donations in smaller amounts, politicians often contribute significantly larger sums, which she claimed gives them influence over some religious leaders.
Her remarks have continued to spark debate online, with supporters and critics expressing differing opinions on the relationship between politics, religion and governance in Nigeria.