Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, has challenged the idea that Christians should be excluded from Nigeria’s presidency because of their religion. Speaking during a recent church service, he argued that no religious or ethnic group has exclusive ownership of Nigeria and said all Nigerians should regard the country as their shared home.
Oyedepo questioned the basis for statements urging Nigerians not to vote for Christian candidates and criticised what he described as attempts to divide the country along religious and ethnic lines. He also warned politicians and others he accused of acting against the church, saying Nigerians should not be treated as tenants because of their religious or ethnic identity.
His comments come amid renewed debate over the role of religion in Nigeria’s politics ahead of the 2027 elections. In recent weeks, an Oyo State lawmaker was also reported to have urged Muslim voters to reject Christian governorship candidates, highlighting the wider religious dimension of the political debate.
