Seyi Makinde, Oyo State Governor and the Presidential Candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, has urged Christians across the country to participate actively in politics and the process of national transformation, saying Nigeria’s biggest problem is grinding poverty, not religion.
Makinde said Christians should not withdraw from politics because it was dirty or because they were unwilling to associate with people who did not share their religious beliefs.
The governor spoke at an event marking the 50th anniversary of the Christian Association of Nigeria, where he was among those honoured for his contributions.
Expressing appreciation for the recognition, Makinde said the occasion also presented an opportunity to encourage Christians to take a more active role in addressing the country’s challenges.
“I was considered one of the people to be honoured, so I am grateful for the recognition. However, I also see it as an opportunity to call on Christians to participate in the agenda for national transformation,” he said.
The governor noted that Christians often justified their withdrawal from politics by describing it as dirty or expressing reservations about working with people of different religious beliefs.
“It is typical for us to say, ‘Politics is dirty. I don’t want to be yoked with unbelievers’, and things like that. But we must look at biblical examples,” he said.
Makinde urged Christians to draw lessons from biblical figures who participated in public affairs despite the circumstances surrounding their calling and responsibilities.
Using the example of David, who served in King Saul’s palace despite having already been anointed to become king, the governor argued that Christians should not allow religious considerations to prevent them from serving in positions of authority.
He said, “David had already been anointed and knew that he would become king. Yet, he went to the palace to serve Saul, from whom God had already departed.”
According to Makinde, the example demonstrated the importance of participating in public service rather than avoiding it because of the religious beliefs or circumstances of those in authority.
He therefore called on Christians to take responsibility for the country’s future by contributing to efforts aimed at addressing its political, economic and social challenges.
“I will use this opportunity to encourage our Christian brothers and sisters across the country to rise up and participate in the agenda to transform Nigeria and reset our country,” the governor said.
Makinde stressed that poverty, rather than religious differences, remained the central challenge requiring urgent attention.
“Our problem is not primarily a religious one. Our problem in this country is poverty, grinding poverty,” he said.
He added that national attention should be directed towards resolving the difficulties confronting Nigerians instead of allowing religious differences to overshadow the issues affecting their daily lives.
“At this stage, we must focus on addressing the issues currently confronting us. Those are the challenges we need to tackle,” he said.
Meanwhile, Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady, congratulated CAN on its 50th anniversary, describing five decades of service to God and humanity as a significant milestone.
“Fifty years of service to God and humanity in any organisation is no small achievement. It is certainly worth celebrating,” she said.
Tinubu said the anniversary theme, Working Together in Faith, reflected the importance of unity among Christians and the need for different denominations to work together.
She cited John 17:21–22, in which Jesus prayed for the unity of believers, as well as Ephesians 4:4–6, which speaks of one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith and one God and Father of all.
The First Lady expressed hope that the different Christian blocs and denominations in Nigeria would sustain their unity.
“I pray that, just as Christ prayed for the saints, all the Christian blocs and denominations will continue to remain united in Jesus’ name,” she said.
She also wished the association continued success in its service to God and humanity.
“I wish you many more years of service in the Lord’s vineyard.
“May God bless the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). God bless Nigeria,” she added.
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