By Iyoho Emmanuel
ABUJA – Prayers by Nigerians, particularly the Christian community, can positively redirect Nigeria’s leadership and economic fortunes, a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Clement Jimbo, has said.
Jimbo stated this on Wednesday in Abuja at the 2026 Abuja Summit and official inauguration of the Abuja Chapter of the Peace and Philanthropic Movement International Foundation((PPMI) held at the Akwa Ibom House, Central Business District, Abuja.
The lawmaker, who represents Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency, was honoured at the event with an Award of Excellence for his outstanding performance as a member of the National Assembly.
Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the summit, Jimbo said the gathering demonstrated the keen interest of the Christian community in governance and the well-being of the nation.
According to him, committing the nation’s leaders to God through prayers could provide divine direction in the discharge of their responsibilities.
“When people gather like this to raise an altar of praise, an altar of prayer to God, to commit leaders in our nation to God, it goes a very long way to show that the body of Christ is equally interested in governance,” he said.
Jimbo noted that words and prayers are powerful instruments capable of influencing circumstances and encouraging leaders towards productive actions.
The federal lawmaker, who described himself as a Christian, added that belief in divine intervention was not limited to one faith, stressing that people of different religious backgrounds could testify to the existence of a superior being.
On politics ahead of the 2027 general elections, Jimbo called for peaceful and issue-based campaigns, urging political parties and their supporters to conduct their activities responsibly.
“Let the campaign be issue-based; let it be peaceful,” he said, warning political actors to avoid insults, lawlessness and actions capable of disrupting public order.
On his political future, the lawmaker disclosed that he would seek re-election to the House of Representatives, expressing optimism that his constituents would assess his record before deciding whether to renew his mandate.
He attributed his aspiration to what he described as unprecedented development projects executed across Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency during his first term.
According to him, visible projects have been installed across all 31 wards of the constituency, with development extended to communities in the hinterlands.
“So far, we have been able to surpass the development strides that have never been attained in the entire federal constituency. For example, we have installed visible projects in all the 31 wards in Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika. So we have taken development to all the hinterlands,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of PPMI, Professor John Micah, called for sustained prayers for peace, good leadership and the peaceful conduct of the 2027 general elections.
Micah, who is also the International Primate of Pilgrims Ministerial College of Bishops and Apostles, said the Abuja inauguration marked the beginning of a more structured expansion of the foundation’s activities across Nigeria.
He said the organisation had previously been holding meetings and praying strategically for Nigeria, its leaders and citizens, describing its activities as an effort to “stand in the gap” for the nation.
“Today was the official inauguration of the Peace and Philanthropic Movement International Foundation, Abuja Chapter. I have been coming in silently, holding meetings, going to strategic places to pray for this country and standing in the gap,” Micah said.
He disclosed that representatives and guests from the 36 states were invited to witness the inauguration, adding that the organisation would subsequently inaugurate chapters in other parts of the country.
Micah said prayers were offered for the President, Vice President, Senate President, Governor Umo Eno, ministers, members of the National Assembly and other leaders of the country.
According to him, the foundation’s mission extends beyond prayers to include humanitarian and philanthropic interventions for vulnerable people, particularly widows.
“The purpose of this meeting is to stand in the gap for peace, government, leadership, youth, men, women, churches and for God,” he said.
“As the name implies, as Peace and Philanthropic Movement International Foundation, we are for prayers and we are philanthropists.”
He disclosed that the foundation had trained more than 200 widows in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District in entrepreneurship and provided other forms of assistance to vulnerable women.
Micah said the organisation would continue to combine prayer with practical humanitarian support as part of its contribution to society.
On the 2027 elections, the cleric called for peace and stability before, during and after the polls, while urging Nigerians to continue praying for the country and its leaders.
He also prayed for the leadership of Akwa Ibom State, including Governor Umo Eno, while expressing hope that political activities in the state would remain peaceful.
“My prayer for Abuja and the nation is that the peace that is reigning, God will keep strengthening our leadership so that this peace will be sustained,” Micah said.
The Abuja Summit 2026, themed “Behold the Glory of Our Nation Nigeria,” with reference to Isaiah 60:1-3, brought together members, religious leaders and guests from different parts of the country for prayers and discussions on peace, leadership, governance and philanthropy