Religious organisations and prominent individuals in the religious sector are under the spotlight as Nigeria inches closer to the general election. Some caustic utterances have already been made by some influential religious figures.
The question many observers are asking now is: what should be the appropriate role for religious leaders towards a free, fair and credible election? Some schools of thought are of the opinion that they should be positive influencers, moderating the activities of their congregants.
Another school of thought is of the view that religious organisations and their leaders should take the back seat in the electioneering process without any form of interference. It is believed that they must continue to emphasise that their members should be good ambassadors of their denominations, whether they are contestants, supporters or party leaders.
According to political analysts, religious institutions and church leaders’ attitudes must synchronise with their preaching. In other words, they must lead by example and not be seen as partisan in their rhetoric.
“Religious leadership is a position of trust and moral guidance, not a commercial platform for vote canvassing or the promotion of political violence and intimidation,” the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), said in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani.
According to CISLAC, religious leaders must resist attempts by politicians to exploit their influence and instead use their platforms to demand accountability, justice, competent leadership and improved welfare for citizens.
The organisation also warned against the growing politicisation and weaponisation of religion in Nigeria’s electoral process. It also cautioned political actors and religious leaders against exploiting faith to manipulate voters, suppress critical thinking and divert attention from issues of governance and development.
According to CISLAC, the increasing use of religious platforms to mobilise political support poses a danger to Nigeria’s democracy, national cohesion and peaceful coexistence. It added that political campaigns should be centred on critical development priorities and accountability, rather than religious sentiments and partisan endorsements.
CISLAC also urged Nigerians to reject attempts to use religion or ethnicity as a substitute for political accountability. It added that religious sentiment should not blind voters to the pressing socioeconomic challenges confronting their communities.
But as the campaign season continues to gain momentum, the Nigerian Church will once again be focus of attention as the interplay of faith, politics, and ethnicity take centre stage in the country’s electioneering season as political parties design their campaign communication strategies to sway voters ahead of 2027 general elections.
As we gradually approach the January/February 2027 election timetable, political communication framing will play a pivotal role in campaign strategies, and one of the possible framing will take a religious coloration – just like we saw in 2023.
Again, the intrigues that shaped the 2023 election season is thrown at the electorates with the Muslim-Muslim Presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as we head into next year’s general elections.
Like the 2023 general election, the electioneering season will more than ever take similar rhetoric, where religion rather than socioeconomic issues being placed on front burner by political actors across the Nigeria.
Joseph Ojo, presiding bishop, Calvary Kingdom Church (CKC), told BusinessDay that it was not advisable to shut anybody out during the electioneering period. However, he added that Church pulpit should not be used to promote any political campaign or support group.
“If politicians want to come to church to sell their manifesto, it’s allowed. It’s one thing to sell something; it’s another thing to get a buyer. So, I cannot deny people conversing for votes anywhere.
“Liberty demands that whenever you are selling, you should be able to convince somebody to let the person know that your product is worth buying. So, I shouldn’t suggest anybody close his or her door,” Ojo said.
According to him, the electorate cannot make informed decisions without hearing the politicians out to ascertain their policy directions and manifestos.
“You can’t just know what will happen. So, care must be taken – anybody can advertise a product; but it depends on the way he is able to convince a prospective buyer whether he likes the product or not,” Ojo said.
“The church should play a great role in the governance of a nation. The church should be an active player during the 2027 general elections and all elections until the present earth passes away,” Charles T.O. Ighele, General Superintendent, Holy Spirit Mission (The Happy Family Nation), told BusinessDay.
According to him, Church leaders should mobilise their members to vote. But beyond mobilisation, the church leaders must also educate their members about the need to vote for people they think can perform.
“A church leader who does not encourage his/her members to vote has no right to complain about the quality and performance of those who will eventually be elected. As for me, I will mobilise those of our ministry to vote,” Ighele said.
It is a well-established fact that church leaders do not run for office. But rather shape the societal conscience of the electorate through their pulpits. Furthermore, it is not the responsibility of Church leaders to endorse or campaign for candidates or political parties.
Church leaders are known as shepherds; therefore, they cannot take up the job of campaign managers either directly or by proxy. “The Holy Bible says government is on our shoulders. We must lead right by teaching our members to choose right for the betterment of the country,” James Akinadewo, bishop of Lagos, Motailatu Church of God (C&S), told BusinessDay.
According to him, the leadership of the Church must also teach their members about the socioeconomic implications of getting it wrong at the polls. “Church members must not sell their conscience to the highest bidder. It affects society in all strata.”
Akinadewo added that Nigerians must eschew corruption and vote right. According to him, Heaven is watching, and Christians must understand that the Holy Bible is the best constitution, which teaches leadership and nation-building.
“If you collect money from politicians and vote wrongly, it is the ticket to another four years of suffering. The church must lead by example,” Akinadewo said, adding that bad leadership is the bane of Nigeria.
Wale Olasoji, Senior Pastor, Living Impact Church, told BusinessDay that the Church has a significant role to play in the 2027 general election. “It must be actively engaged in promoting responsible citizenship, voter education, peaceful participation and leadership accountability.”
However, he added that the engagement must remain non-partisan. “The Church should not become a political platform, but a moral voice that equips citizens to make informed choices and defend the common good,” Olasoji said.
Toyin Kehinde, Senior Pastor, Agape Generation International Church, said the Church should be active, but not partisan in the electioneering process. “There is a difference between being politically engaged and being politically captured.”
According to him, the Church cannot be passive because she has a prophetic responsibility to influence society. “Joseph influenced Pharaoh, Daniel served kings, Nathan confronted David, and John the Baptist challenged Herod.
“Likewise, the church should: Teach biblical values. Encourage responsible voting. Pray for leaders and elections (1 Timothy 2:1–2). Speak against corruption and injustice. Raise and mentor godly leaders.”
Kehinde further opined that the Church must avoid partisanship. According to him, the Church should not become the campaign machinery of a political party or candidate.
“Partisanship can divide the Church, compromise its prophetic voice, and cause believers to defend wrongdoing because of political loyalty.
“The Church should evaluate leaders by biblical values like integrity, justice, competence, accountability, and concern for people and commend righteousness while confronting wrongdoing,” Kehinde said.
For many observers, the political intrigues present a disturbing narrative that tends to becloud the sense of judgment of many of the electorate, who in turn fails to ask the critical questions about their declining economic situation to debating mundane things that add little or nothing to improve their lives.
However, the Nigerian electorate must ask their politicians questions on critical issues expected to improve their livelihood. “If the incubate party comes, Nigerians must ask about what they are going to do that they have not been able to do better than what they have done? For four years we have seen what your capacity is.”
According to Ojo, Nigerians must ask politicians questions about their capacity to deliver their manifesto and ability to improve their socioeconomic situation. “There are no roads in Nigeria. So, if somebody aspiring to take over comes, we ask, how are we sure you will be better than this one? Now, let’s see your manifesto.
“Let’s see what your funding is like. Let’s also know about your previous offices that you have held – your scorecard, in a way. So, we should be able to, from there, prayerfully make a choice,” Ojo said.
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