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” avo...