Anglican Church bans politicians from using pulpit after Wike’s outbursts

The Anglican Church of Nigeria has released strict guidelines banning politicians and government officials from using its pulpit to make political statements.

This follows widespread condemnation of the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike’s recent controversial comments during a thanksgiving service at St James’ Anglican Church in Asokoro, Abuja, where he reportedly used the occasion of giving thanks to God for completed infrastructure projects in the FCT to make politically charged remarks and castigate political opponents.

The directive which was issued through a memo by the Primate of the Church, Most Revd Henry Ndukuba, during the Episcopal Consultation held in the Diocese of Nike, Enugu, on Saturday, said though the church remains open to all persons, including politicians and government officials, it warned against the use of its pulpit and podiums by politicians to make political comments during services.

The memo signed by the Director of Communication, Korede Akintunde, said the guidelines became necessary following growing concerns about the increasing use of Church gatherings as platforms for political statements, which risk undermining the core purpose of worship, and also warned its priests against publicly praising such figures,

The memo added that the decision is aimed at curbing the increasing use of religious platforms for political messaging, and to protect the integrity of Christian worship, insisting that politicians and government officials must be told clearly that the Church is not a stage for promoting partisan opinions or political propaganda.

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“The Church acknowledged growing concerns about the politicisation of religious gatherings, which it said could threaten its core values and divine mission,” part of the memo reads.

“The Church must diligently avoid speeches, conduct, or events that may incite division or foster political bias within the body of Christ.

“Church leaders and officiants must refrain from making statements or behaving in ways that could be construed as politically aligned or sectional.

“These decisions reflects the Church’s intent to preserve its spiritual integrity and public trust in the face of growing concerns over the politicisation of religious gatherings in Nigeria.

“While politicians are still welcome to worship and participate in church programmes, the Anglican Church remains committed to its primary calling… to be “the light of the world and the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13–14).

“⁠No church official should eulogise or exalt any guest in a manner that might bring the church into disrepute.

“⁠Where possible, guests should not be permitted to use the church’s lectern when speaking, as it has been consecrated for the reading of God’s Word.

“The Church is not a platform for political campaigns or propaganda,” the memo stated.

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