Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has cited faith in God as critical to the success of his leadership and the wellbeing of the country.

"No matter the wisdom, skills and ability I have, I cannot succeed except with God," Jonathan said during a prayer breakfast on Saturday, July 31, according to This Day.

Citing examples from the Bible where the Israelites faced calamity as a result of their deviation, the president said it is dangerous to turn away from God, and added that "more prayers are needed to make the country perform better."

Several prominent church leaders were present at the gathering including Pastor Ayo Oritseja, president of the Christian Association of Nigeria; Dr. Ola Mkinde, prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria; and the Most Rev. John Onaiyekan, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja.

Jonathan has been serving as Nigeria's official president since May following the death former President Umaru Yar'Adua who passed away after a long bout with a kidney illness. Jonathan had previously served for several months as acting president while Yar'Adua was battling his sickness.

Jonathan's Christian faith has recently been a source of some controversy, although not for church-state separation reasons. Rather, the possibility of Jonathan continuing his presidency could break an unwritten "zoning" rule in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which alternates its candidates between Muslims from Nigeria's northern region and Christians from the south.

Since Yar'Adua did not finish his term as president, some believe the PDP should back a Muslim candidate for next year's elections, which will take place in January.

Jonathan has yet to declare his candidacy, although some observers say protests could erupt if he does not.