Participate actively in politics ahead of 2027 elections, Aboyeji urges Christians

The General Overseer of The Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rev. Dr. Sam Aboyeji, has urged Nigerians, particularly Christians, to participate actively in the political process by registering to vote, obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and voting for candidates of their choice in the 2027 general election.

Aboyeji made the call during a press conference ahead of the church’s 13th Annual Public Lecture and 71st Annual National Convention.

The public lecture, with the theme, “Building to Last: Faith, Infrastructure and the Future of a Nation,” is scheduled to hold on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at The Marquee, Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The church’s 71st Annual National Convention will hold from October 7 to 11, 2026, at the Foursquare Campground in Ajebo, Ogun State, with notable ministers, including Apostle Michael Orokpo and Pastor Wole Oladiyun, among the speakers.

Aboyeji said the church was encouraging Christians to participate in politics because political apathy had, over the years, created opportunities for people who were not necessarily qualified or competent to take charge of governance.

According to him, Nigerians must abandon the long-held perception that politics is a dirty game and recognise participation in the political process as a civic responsibility.

“We must let people know that they must have their voters’ cards. In the past, we taught people that politics was a dirty game, and many people who would have been useful to the system stayed away,” he said.

“Now, we need to undo what we did in the past. When you are wise and too clever to participate in politics, idiots will rule over you. That is what we are now trying to undo.”

The cleric stressed that the church would not dictate the political candidates its members should support but would encourage them to exercise their constitutional rights and vote according to their convictions.

“We are encouraging Christians to participate in politics and vote for candidates of their choice,” he said.

Meanwhile, Aboyeji also urged Nigerians to prioritise values, integrity, competent leadership and responsible citizenship in the quest to build sustainable infrastructure and achieve national development.

He said the forthcoming public lecture was part of the church’s contribution to national discourse and its responsibility to promote the moral, social, economic and developmental wellbeing of society.

According to him, sustainable development goes beyond the construction of physical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, railways, airports, schools and hospitals.

“A nation is not built just by constructing roads, bridges, railways, airports, schools and hospitals. Real and lasting development requires something deeper. It requires people and institutions grounded in values, vision, competence, integrity and faith in a better future,” Aboyeji said.

He noted that Nigeria was endowed with abundant human and natural resources, a vibrant entrepreneurial population and a youthful demographic, but said these advantages could only translate into sustainable prosperity through quality infrastructure, effective institutions and responsible leadership.

Aboyeji added that faith, when demonstrated through daily conduct, could contribute significantly to national development by promoting hope, integrity, hard work, compassion and commitment to the common good.

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The lecture is expected to attract thought leaders, professionals, policymakers, academics, business leaders, clergy and members of the public to deliberate on Nigeria’s development challenges and prospects.

The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Segun Aina, OFR, former Chairman of Odu’a Investment Company, while former Minister of State for Budget and Planning, Prince Clement Agba, CON, will chair the occasion.

Panelists include the Managing Director of the Association for Consulting Engineering in Nigeria, ACEN, Engineer Olufunmilayo Kadri; professional engineer and management executive, Engr. Joseph Ciroma; and former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Planning Committee for the 71st Annual National Convention, Rev. Dr. Charles Fashola, said the theme of the public lecture was largely informed by concerns over insecurity, unemployment and the need to engage Nigeria’s growing youth population in productive activities.

Fashola urged Nigerian youths to shun violence and destructive criticism and instead take advantage of available infrastructure and development opportunities to acquire skills and contribute meaningfully to nation-building.

He identified unemployment and misinformation as major factors fuelling insecurity, stressing that meaningful engagement of young people could help address the challenge.

“Majorly, what causes insecurity is unemployment and information, and we felt that a large number of people involved in these practices are youths. If we can find a way to get them involved in the development of this nation, we can make a difference,” he said.

He said the lecture would go beyond physical infrastructure to examine the role of faith, values, skills, financing and responsible citizenship in building a sustainable nation.

Speaking further on preparations for the 71st Annual National Convention, Fashola disclosed that the planning committee had embarked on several initiatives, including projects aimed at strengthening security in and around the campground, empowerment programmes for church members, the General Overseer’s Cup and Foursquare Got Talent, designed to discover and showcase talented members of the church.

The initiatives, according to him, form part of efforts to ensure a successful convention while promoting empowerment, youth development, security and the discovery of talents within the Foursquare community.