Prophet Jorge Oyekale Oluwoye, founder of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Mountain of Peace and Mercy, Ijetu Ayepe, Osogbo, has urged religious leaders across Nigeria to guide politicians against violence and the pursuit of political power through desperation.
Oluwoye said clerics had a responsibility to use their positions to preach peace, pray for political leaders and teach them values capable of promoting peaceful coexistence before, during and after elections.
The cleric spoke on Sunday during the fourth anniversary and Thanksgiving Service of Christ Apostolic Church, Mountain of Mercy and Praise (Ori Oke Aanu), Kajola, Owode-Ede.
He urged politicians preparing for the 2027 general elections to reject the notion that political contests must be treated as do-or-die affairs, saying no political ambition should be pursued at the expense of human lives.
“What we men of God are for is to be preaching to the people and pray for them, and we should always teach them the wishes of God, not the teaching of a do-or-die election but the love of God that takes one to the height,” he said.
Oluwoye added: “If one uses force to achieve height, he may not live long. May God help us.”
Speaking on the 2027 elections, the cleric urged politicians and their supporters to accept electoral outcomes peacefully and avoid actions capable of causing bloodshed.
“God has destined who will win the 2027 election, but I want to urge all hearts that are politicians that we should not engage in do-or-die and accept that what God has destined will come true,” he said.
Reflecting on the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, Oluwoye said the relatively peaceful conduct of the poll demonstrated that political differences could be managed without violence.
He, however, noted that the election was preceded by reports of violence and killings in some parts of the state, which, according to him, created fear among residents ahead of the poll.
“We thank God for the just-concluded Osun governorship election that went peacefully because before election day there were pockets of violence and killings to the extent that there was fear among residents of the state,” he said.
Oluwoye said the outcome of the election should also teach politicians the importance of accepting the will of the electorate and avoiding actions capable of destabilising the state.
He further commended the contenders for congratulating the eventual winner, describing the gesture as an example of the kind of political maturity needed to sustain democracy.
“You will observe that after the election, his contenders later congratulated the winner,” he said.
The cleric called on politicians to approach the 2027 elections with restraint, stressing that political office should be pursued through democratic means rather than violence or intimidation.
He also charged religious leaders to intensify prayers and teachings on peace, saying the church had an important role to play in encouraging political actors and citizens to value human life and peaceful democratic participation.
‘Know the God of Your Father’
Also speaking at the anniversary programme, Pastor Ajayi Joseph Kayode of Christ Apostolic Church, Mountain of Restoration, Okinni, who delivered the sermon, urged Christians to strengthen their relationship with God.
Kayode, whose sermon was based on the theme, “Know the God of Your Father,” said knowing God was essential to overcoming challenges and experiencing victory in life.
He said the relationship between David and his son, Solomon, demonstrated the importance of passing faith and knowledge of God from one generation to another.
According to him, David reminded Solomon that the same God who helped him would also help his son, stressing that believers should learn to trust God in every circumstance.
In his remarks, the host pastor, Agbolade Daniel, popularly known as Omo Woli, expressed gratitude to God for sustaining the ministry since its establishment at Kajola.
Daniel said the church had witnessed what he described as numerous testimonies and transformations among worshippers who had encountered Christ through the ministry.
He said the church had also recorded testimonies of healing and other miraculous interventions, urging members and residents to continue to trust in God.
Speaking on the Osun governorship election, the cleric said the peaceful outcome should encourage residents and political actors to shun violence.
“We thank God for taking control over the Osun governorship election. I want people to know that it is God who chooses for us, so they should tread carefully,” he said.
He urged politicians and their supporters to remain prayerful and avoid violence, stressing that political competition should not be allowed to destroy lives and property.
Source: New Telegraph
