Loading ...ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has come under heavy fire from activist and author Mike Arnold, who publicly accused the apex Christian body of turning a blind eye to the violent attacks plaguing citizens across the country while focusing on financial gain.
In a scathing statement released via his social media handles, Arnold re-headlined the acronym CAN to stand for “Cowards Amassing Naira,” sparking intense debate over the accountability of religious institutions amidst Nigeria’s prolonged security crises.
‘Silence While Sheep are Slaughtered’
Arnold, a vocal advocate on issues surrounding regional security and religious freedom, criticized mainstream religious leaders for failing to defend their congregations from persistent attacks by armed bandits and insurgent groups.
“If your ‘pastor’ is silent while sheep are slaughtered, he’s a wolf in shepherd’s clothing,” Arnold stated. “Stop following mammon-worshipping dragons, wolves, and hirelings.”
The critique hits a raw nerve in a nation grappling with recurring attacks on communities, where religious bodies are frequently called upon by citizens to act as moral arbiters and fierce advocates for government intervention and security reform.
A Call to Reject ‘Prosperity Preaching’
Beyond the security failures, Arnold also took aim at the widespread culture of prosperity theology, urging churchgoers to reconsider where they invest their financial resources, or “seeds.” He challenged the financial transparency of high-profile clergy who accumulate massive wealth while their followers remain impoverished.
“If you ‘sow’ into your ‘pastor’ and he’s the only one getting rich—you are sowing into the WRONG SOIL,” Arnold warned, advising believers to instead seek out and support grassroots religious leaders and organizations that are actively doing genuine humanitarian and community work. “Find the fertile soil—real men and women of God who are doing the real work. Sow there—and reap real blessings.”
Growing Demands for Accountability
Arnold’s remarks, tagged under his prominent #EarthShaker movement, amplify growing frustrations among Nigerians who feel that established religious institutions have become too close to political power or too insulated by wealth to aggressively confront national failures.
While CAN has previously issued statements condemning national insecurity, critics argue that the leadership’s response lacks the confrontational urgency needed to push the Federal Government into decisive action. Neither CAN leadership nor prominent tele-evangelists have formally responded to the viral critique, but the statement has already reignited tough conversations across social media platforms regarding the intersection of faith, wealth, and national security in Nigeria.
