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Nigerian Cleric Accuses Politicians of Using Religious Leaders for Votes, Calls for Return to Regional Government

IBADAN, Nigeria – A prominent Nigerian pastor has publicly stated that politicians seek meetings with popular church leaders primarily to secure the votes of their large congregations, not for spiritual guidance.

Pastor Femi Emmanuel, the Presiding Pastor of Livingspring Chapel International, made the remarks during an interview with journalists in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State. He argued that politicians are more interested in the electoral influence of religious figures than their prayers.

“When politicians visit popular General Overseers, they come mainly for political reasons, to get their members to vote for them,” Emmanuel stated. “I tell my congregation all the time: it’s your votes they’re after.”

The cleric urged citizens to engage more deeply with the political process at the grassroots level, suggesting that critical decisions are often made by party delegates who are not equipped for such responsibility. He lamented that many “good Nigerians” avoid local ward meetings, leaving a vacuum.

“People fight over ₦1,000 sent to them, yet these are the people who choose delegates. Delegates determine candidates, and candidates determine leaders. If you don’t have delegates, you can’t have candidates,” he explained.

Turning to national issues, Pastor Emmanuel called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to intensify its focus on security. “You are bold and courageous, but you have found yourself in a very difficult situation,” he said, addressing the president. “He didn’t start this terrorism, but he must ensure that peace returns to every part of Nigeria.”

Emmanuel proposed a significant constitutional change as a solution to Nigeria’s persistent challenges. He asserted that reverting to a regional system of government would resolve most of the country’s problems.

“Our problem will be 90 per cent solved if we return to regional government. If we don’t, the problem will persist and may worsen,” he warned.

*Source: Politics Nigeria. This report has been synthesized from the original interview with Pastor Femi Emmanuel.*
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