Churches Must Endorse Candidates in 2027-Prof Ayankeye

As political activities ahead of the 2027 elections gather momentum, the President of the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso, Prof. Ola Ayankeye, has urged churches to endorse candidates who fear God, care about the people and can improve their lives.

Ayankeye spoke on Monday during a hybrid press conference ahead of the 2026 Ministers’ Conference at the seminary. The conference will hold from September 14 to 17. He said churches should encourage their members to vote for competent candidates, regardless of their political parties.

According to him, political affiliation should not determine the church’s position. The priority, he said, should be a candidate’s character, competence and commitment to public service.

“Churches should endorse candidates who are God-fearing. Churches should endorse candidates who are people-lovers,” Ayankeye said.

He urged Christians to support politicians who genuinely want to serve the public and make life more bearable for citizens. “We can no longer shy away from voting for the right people who will make life bearable for the populace,” he said.

Ayankeye said the church should not support a candidate simply because the person belongs to a particular political party or worships in the church. He said churches should also discourage members from supporting politicians whose policies or conduct do not serve the interests of citizens.

“This is not a party matter. It’s not about a particular party,” he said.

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The seminary president said churches would not necessarily ask members to reject money offered by politicians during election campaigns. Instead, he said voters should accept such gifts if offered but make their voting decisions based on their conscience and religious convictions.

“They take the money to buy chicken. They take the money to buy curry and rice. Money will go for rice. Vote will go for the right people,” Ayankeye said.

He also clarified that the Nigerian Baptist Convention does not have a collective position for or against President Bola Tinubu or any other candidate.

Ayankeye attributed the position to the convention’s congregational structure and its belief in the priesthood of all believers. “Our convention has no joint position regarding the current government,” he said. “We do not have such a position as a convention on whether Tinubu is a bad person or a saint.”

He explained that individual members could assess the government and make political choices based on their conscience and their understanding of the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Meanwhile, Ayankeye said the 2026 Ministers’ Conference would focus on improving the effectiveness and competence of gospel ministers. The conference is themed “The Gospel Minister and Ministerial Competence.”

He said the theme reflects the challenges facing Nigeria, particularly the current economic and security situation. “The theme is very important in the current economic and security situation in Nigeria, where some gospel ministers are found to be deficient in their ministerial duty post,” he said.

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He said the conference would examine ministerial competence from different perspectives and seek ways to improve the performance of gospel ministers.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee for the conference, Prof. Olusola Ayo-Obiremi, also urged Nigerians to pray for the emergence of God-fearing leaders.

She said competence should extend beyond political and religious leadership. Every Nigerian, she argued, should strive for excellence in whatever work they do. “We want every Nigerian to live a 360-degree life,” Ayo-Obiremi said.

She urged Nigerians to maintain good relationships with their neighbours, families and colleagues while pursuing excellence in their professions.

The four-day conference will feature Bible teaching, African praise, hymn singing, instrumental performances, sermons, group discussions, intercessory prayers, evangelism and a football match.

The new President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Dr. David Idowu, Ayankeye, and ministers Segun Babalola and Ikechukwu Onyegbu are among those scheduled to anchor various sessions at the conference.

source: Punch News