A leader in the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and the founder of Livingspring Chapel International, Pastor Femi Emmanuel has called on Nigerian churches to transition from a passive role in national affairs to active involvement in the political development of the country.
Speaking at a media event marking his 70th birthday at his church’s headquarters in Ibadan, Emmanuel expressed concern over the church’s growing detachment from the governance process.
Emmanuel, who previously served as the Deputy Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, emphasized that true transformation in Nigeria would only occur through direct participation by the Christian community and other religious groups in political and civic life.
He stressed that churches must go beyond prayer and moral commentary, incorporating civic education into their programs to inform citizens about their rights, political party dynamics, and the importance of making voting decisions based on merit and integrity rather than sentiment.
The pastor also urged the church to focus on grassroots activism, suggesting that national change could only be achieved through local involvement. He encouraged Nigerian churches to identify and support credible, God-fearing candidates who demonstrate patriotism and are capable of leading the nation toward progress.
As a member of The Patriots, a respected non-partisan group of elder statesmen led by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Emmanuel reiterated the call for Nigeria’s political system to undergo restructuring. He pointed out that the current unitary structure has impeded the country’s growth and development. Emmanuel advocated for a new system that would decentralize power, reduce the burden on the central government, and promote healthy regional competition, all while fostering true federalism.
However, while urging churches to engage more actively in the political process, Emmanuel cautioned against the politicization of religious platforms. He made it clear that places of worship should not become arenas for political campaigns. Instead, churches should facilitate forums, debates, and sessions on leadership accountability where citizens can assess candidates’ qualifications without compromising the spiritual focus of their institutions.
Nigeria, according to Emmanuel, stands at a critical juncture, and collective action is urgently needed across all sectors of society. He emphasized that, without restructuring, the country would continue to face deep-rooted challenges that elections alone have failed to resolve. The need for political reform, Emmanuel argued, is more pressing than ever, especially with the upcoming 2027 general elections on the horizon.
