Pastors Don't Understand Politics, Femi Emmanuel Says, Warns Church Is Losing National Influence

 

By Abdulahi Musa 

The Presiding Pastor of Livingspring Chapel International, Rev. Femi Emmanuel, has said that many Nigerian pastors and Christian leaders lack a proper understanding of politics, a situation he believes has weakened the Church's influence in national governance. 

Speaking in a video interview, Emmanuel argued that many church leaders wrongly treat politics as something separate from Christianity, leaving political participation to others. According to him, this mindset has prevented Christians from effectively shaping the country's leadership and policies. 

The cleric maintained that politics determines who makes decisions affecting every aspect of society, including security, education, the economy and religious freedom. He therefore urged pastors to educate their members on civic responsibility and political participation rather than limiting their teachings to spiritual matters alone. 

Emmanuel also criticised the level of political awareness among many church leaders, insisting that ignorance about grassroots politics has allowed politicians to dominate the system. He stressed that elections are not won merely through endorsements from influential religious leaders but through active participation at ward and grassroots levels, where delegates and candidates emerge. 

He called on Christians to become more involved in the political process by registering to vote, attending party meetings, participating in ward activities and supporting credible candidates.

According to him, until Christians take politics seriously and engage beyond election-day voting, they will continue to have limited influence over the nation's direction.