Apostle Dr Bolaji O. Akinyemi, President of Voice of His Word Ministries and Convener of The Apostolic Round Table (ART), has expressed concerns over the trend of religious leaders endorsing candidates for electoral positions in Nigeria. He emphasized that while Christian leaders have a constitutional right to participate in politics, collective endorsement of a candidate by a body of bishops raises questions about their stewardship of Kingdom values. Akinyemi's concerns are rooted in the potential for religious authority to be used as an instrument of partisan political mobilisation.
Akinyemi drew a biblical parallel between God's choice of a king for Israel and the current trend of religious leaders endorsing presidential candidates. He noted that even under a theocratic arrangement, prophets were not permitted to manipulate the emergence of God's choice. In a democratic setting, Akinyemi believes that religious leaders should be even more cautious, as their role is to help people choose wisely, not to choose for them. The Apostolic Round Table (ART) advocates for a nonpartisan approach, focusing on promoting values such as righteousness, peace, justice, and truth.
The recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu by the Charismatic Bishop Conference of Nigeria has sparked debate, with Akinyemi expressing reservations about the collective episcopal endorsement of a presidential candidate. He emphasized that his concerns are not specific to President Tinubu, but rather about the principle of religious authority becoming an instrument of partisan political mobilisation. Akinyemi argued that the Church has a more important role to play in Nigeria than endorsing a candidate's campaign, and that its values should be defended and promoted.
Akinyemi recalled his experience during the last governorship election in Lagos, where the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) endorsed a candidate. He felt compelled to hold a press conference, unendorsing the candidate and advocating for a level playing field for all contestants. Akinyemi emphasized that the Church should be able to speak truth to power without being tied to a particular candidate or political party. This, he believes, is essential for maintaining prophetic independence.
The Apostle also addressed the possibility of conflict between the Charismatic Bishop Conference of Nigeria's endorsement and the stance of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) or the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) on politics. While cautioning against presenting it as a direct conflict, Akinyemi noted that there is a philosophical question about the role of the Church in politics. He emphasized that Christians participating in politics is not the issue, but rather how they participate.
Akinyemi highlighted the importance of distinguishing between godly leadership and religious leadership. He argued that Nigeria needs a president whose character, competence, and commitment to justice can withstand the enormous responsibility of leadership, rather than one who is simply a Christian or Muslim. The values of the Kingdom, Akinyemi believes, should guide the Church's engagement in politics, rather than partisan endorsement.
Finally, Akinyemi assessed the performance of Pastor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom and Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, two Christian clerics occupying governorship positions. He emphasized that once a cleric enters public office, their role becomes broader than their pulpit, and they should be judged on the quality of governance they provide. Akinyemi's concerns about the trend of religious leaders endorsing candidates are rooted in the need for the Church to maintain its integrity and prophetic independence.
Key points
- Apostle Dr Bolaji O. Akinyemi opposes the principle of religious authority becoming an instrument of partisan political mobilisation.
- The Apostolic Round Table (ART) advocates for a nonpartisan approach, focusing on promoting values such as righteousness, peace, justice, and truth.
- Akinyemi believes that the Church should help people choose wisely, not choose for them.
