Presiding Pastor of Livingspring Chapel International, Pastor Femi Emmanuel, has called on the Church in Nigeria to move beyond prayers and moral commentary to active participation in the political development of the nation.
Speaking at a press conference held at the church headquarters in Ibadan on Wednesday, Pastor Emmanuel decried the continued detachment of the Church from governance matters, insisting that meaningful change in Nigeria requires direct civic and political engagement by Christians and other faith communities.
“We cannot merely stand by as spectators, hoping for change, while the same cycle of leadership failures repeats itself,” the cleric stated. “The Church must recognise its civic responsibility to educate, mobilise, and empower its members to engage in the political process.”
Pastor Emmanuel urged churches across the country to embrace civic education as part of their mandate, using their wide reach to enlighten Nigerians about their rights and responsibilities, party politics, and the importance of voting based on character and competence, not sentiments.
He stressed that grassroots involvement is key to national transformation, urging the Church to raise and support credible candidates who are “God-fearing and patriotic.”
A member of The Patriots, a non-partisan group of elder statesmen led by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Pastor Emmanuel reiterated the call for restructuring Nigeria’s political system. According to him, the current unitary structure has hindered the nation’s progress.
“Nigeria’s diversity demands a federal arrangement that empowers regions to develop at their own pace,” he said. “We must adopt a system that promotes equity, regional growth, and sustainable development.”
He advocated for a new political framework that reduces pressure on the central government, fosters competition among regions, and reflects true federalism.
While advocating greater involvement of churches in politics, Pastor Emmanuel also warned against politicising the pulpit. He stated that places of worship should not serve as campaign grounds for candidates or political parties.
“The pulpit must remain sacred,” he said. “Churches should serve as platforms for civic enlightenment, not political endorsements.”
He encouraged churches to host open forums, candidate debates, and leadership accountability sessions — without compromising their spiritual mission.
Describing Nigeria as a nation at a crossroads, Pastor Emmanuel emphasized the need for collective action from all sectors of society.
“Nigeria’s transformation will not happen by chance. It requires deliberate effort, courage, and a willingness to confront the status quo,” he noted.
As he marked seven decades of life and ministry, the veteran pastor reaffirmed his commitment to national development and called on all patriotic Nigerians to work together toward building a more just and prosperous country.
“I remain committed to lending my voice, my influence, and my energy to the cause of a better Nigeria,” he concluded.
