The Presiding Pastor of Livingspring Chapel International, Femi Emmanuel, has stated that many politicians visit prominent General Overseers not for spiritual purposes but to secure the support of their large congregations.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Emmanuel explained that politicians are often more interested in the electoral influence of religious leaders than in their spiritual counsel.
“When politicians visit popular General Overseers, they come mainly for political reasons — to secure votes from their members.
“I always remind my congregation: it’s your votes they are after. When they say, ‘Dad, pray for me,’ Dad will pray, but Dad cannot change anything. Politicians only listen to those who can help them win their primaries,” he said.
The cleric also urged Nigerians to gain a deeper understanding of the political process, stressing that critical decisions are made at the grassroots level by individuals who often lack the capacity for such responsibilities.
“Good Nigerians rarely attend ward meetings because we feel too sophisticated for them. But if you attend those meetings, you will cry.
“People fight over ₦1,000, yet these are the people who choose delegates. Delegates choose candidates, and candidates choose leaders. If you don’t have delegates, you can’t have candidates,” he said.
Emmanuel further appealed to the Federal Government, led by President Bola Tinubu, to maintain focus and prioritise national security.
“You are bold and courageous, but you have found yourself in a very difficult situation,” he told the president. “He did not start this terrorism, but he must ensure that peace returns to every part of Nigeria.”
The pastor argued that restoring Nigeria to a regional system of government would address most of the nation’s challenges.
“Our problems would be 90 percent solved if we return to regional government. If we don’t, the problems will persist and may even worsen,” he warned.
Emmanuel, an engineer and former Deputy Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, began his political career under the late Ibadan political strongman, Lamidi Adedibu. #Pastor Femi Emmanuel
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