Paul Enenche, senior pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, has called for a census to determine the number of Christians and Muslims in Nigeria.
Enenche made the call during a church service on Sunday while reacting to recent comments by Sani Yahaya Jingir, an Islamic cleric, on religion and politics ahead of the 2027 elections.
Jingir had urged Muslims to use their voting strength to support Muslim candidates and back the continuation of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket. The cleric had also claimed that Muslims outnumber Christians in Nigeria.
Reacting to the claim, Enenche argued that Christianity is not subordinate to any other religion in the country.
The pastor said Christians are present in large numbers across the country and challenged those making claims about the religious composition of Nigeria to support them with census data.
“I heard an insane man said that Christianity is subordinate to any other religion in this country. Christianity is not secondary, and no group of religious fanatics will ever make it secondary,” Enenche said.
“If you have sense, take a look around, there is no part of Nigeria where Christians don’t exist en mass.
“If you think you’re superior, why didn’t you people allow census all this while? And if you want to settle the scores, do a census, let everybody tell you what they believe in, then you will be shocked.”
Enenche also criticised the security agencies for allowing what he described as inflammatory statements capable of triggering violence.
He said individuals making statements that could incite violence should be restrained.
“It’s time to call them to order. And I blame security forces for allowing people who make reckless and useless statements to still be moving on the road,” he said.
“Knowing such statements can incite instant violence, that is a man that should be quarantined.”
