Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has urged Christians to actively engage in politics to help transform Nigeria, emphasising that the nation’s core challenge remains “grinding poverty” rather than religion.
Makinde, who is the Presidential candidate of Allied Peoples Movement (APM) made the call on Saturday in Abuja.
The governor said this shortly after receiving the Christian Icon of the Year Award for Public Service and Good Governance at the 50th Anniversary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Makinde urged Christians not to shy away from politics and governance due to the notion that politics was dirty.
”I also see it as an opportunity to call on Christians to participate in the agenda for national transformation.
“It’s typical for us to say, oh well, politics is dirty, you don’t want to be yoked with the unbelievers and things like that,” he said.
Drawing from biblical allusion, Makinde referenced Prophet Samuel and noted how he was raised up to advance God’s mission amidst corruption on the altar by Eli’s children.
He pointed to David, who went to serve in the palace under King Saul even after being anointed king and knowing God had departed from Saul.
Makinde emphasised that the nation’s primary challenge was rooted in economic hardship rather than religion.
”Our problem is actually not religious. Our problem in this country is poverty, grinding poverty.
“At this stage, it is only those things that can address the current issues that we’re faced with that we have to deal with,” Makinde added.
Marking the golden jubilee milestone of CAN, the President of the association, Rev Daniel Okoh, reflected on the journey of the ecumenical body since its formation in August 1976.
He noted that the association was built to provide a strong prophetic voice for christians in spite of past challenges of mutual suspicion and division among different church traditions.
“Today, all major church blocs, including the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, the Christian Council of Nigeria, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, the Organisation of African Instituted Churches, and TEKAN/ECWA, are fully represented as a united voice,” he said.
Okoh stressed that the association’s diversity should serve as a source of strength rather than division as he urged believers to remove internal discords and social media rancours in pursuit of true unity.
The president outlined the church’s ongoing public responsibility through the framework of a watchman.
Okoh called for critical collaboration in which the state and the Church work together for the common good, while maintaining its independence and holding leaders accountable.
On the nation’s governance and socio-economic realities, Okoh admonished leaders to govern faithfully, protect the vulnerable and strengthen democratic institutions to make the country great.
”The message of the Church to those in governance must be clear; govern well, serve faithfully, protect the people, respect the constitution, account for public resources, listen to citizens, protect the vulnerable, strengthen institutions, and make Nigeria great,” he said.