Pastor Femi Emmanuel, Presiding Pastor of Livingspring Chapel International, says Nigerian politicians visit prominent General Overseers largely to secure electoral support and not for spiritual guidance.
Emmanuel, who spoke with journalists on Saturday in Ibadan, Oyo State, said political office seekers often target the influence religious leaders hold over their large congregations.
According to him, while clerics may pray for such visitors, the real motivation behind the visits is to mobilise votes.
“When politicians visit popular General Overseers, they come mainly for political reasons — to get their members to vote for them,” he said.
“I tell my congregation all the time: it’s your votes they’re after. When they say ‘Dad, pray for me,’ Dad will pray, but Dad can’t change anything. Politicians only listen to those who help them win their primaries.”
He urged Nigerians to deepen their understanding of the political process, noting that many decisions are made at the ward and delegate levels by individuals who often lack the capacity for such roles.
“Good Nigerians don’t attend ward meetings; we are too sophisticated. But if you attend ward meetings, you will cry,” he said.
“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.”
Emmanuel also appealed to the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu to prioritise national security, saying prevailing insecurity across the country demands urgent attention.
“You are bold and courageous, but you have found yourself in a very difficult situation,” he said.
“He didn’t start this terrorism, but he must ensure peace returns to every part of Nigeria.”
The cleric further advocated a return to a regional system of government, insisting that it would resolve a significant portion of Nigeria’s challenges.
“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.
Visits by politicians to religious leaders are common in Nigeria. In the build-up to the 2023 elections, several political aspirants also toured worship centres. Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, similarly visited various churches and was heard in a leaked audio with Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church, where he allegedly described the election as a “religious war.”