The World Council of Churches (WCC) and prominent Christian leaders have called on politicians and citizens to shun divisive rhetorics ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
They made the appeal on Wednesday in Abuja during a high-level consultative meeting and ecumenical welcome ceremony organised for visiting WCC General Secretary, Rev. Prof. Jerry Pillay.
Speaking to newsmen on the sidelines of the event, Pillay emphasised that elections must reflect justice and genuine democracy rather than serving as a platform for division.
He urged political leaders and citizens to avoid electoral manipulation and prioritise national unity for the common good,
”Like any other country, Nigeria faces challenges of economic struggles, political divisions, ethnic issues, and religious differences that can become divisive.
“As Nigeria moves towards elections, it is inevitable that different groups will attempt to generate fear and manipulate people to secure votes.
”The prophetic task of the church is to speak truth to power, call anything unjust by its name, and uphold the poor and needy,” he said.
The WCC scribe also admonished political leaders to seek unity, not to put personal or party interests above others, and think of the whole of Nigeria.
Echoing Pillay’s message, Rev. Israel Akanji, member of the WCC Central Committee and immediate past President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, warned against hate speech and ethnic bigotry ahead of the polls.
Delivering the ecumenical address on behalf of the WCC President from Africa, Most Rev. Dr. Rufus Ositelu, Akanji noted that Christians, Muslims, Northerners, and Southerners are not enemies.
”We are one nation bound together by God. Even after politics and elections, we will still live, eat, and reside together in our neighborhoods.
“Any kind of divisive language should be strictly avoided. Let us not allow hatred to destroy and pollute our nation,” Akanji stated.
He also commended the WCC’s strategic decision to relocate its Africa Regional Programme Office to Abuja.
Akanji appealed to the Federal Government to grant the office appropriate legal status to strengthen its operational capacity across the continent.
Addressing the pressing challenges of insecurity and economic hardship, Julius Abbe, Primate of The African Church, urged the Federal Government to decisively nip insecurity in the bud to safeguard lives and restore investor confidence.
”With insecurity, we are at great risk. People are being killed, maimed, and communities destroyed.
“This hinders economic investment. If insecurity persists as the 2027 election approaches, it poses a major threat to our national life,” Abbe cautioned.
Also speaking, Most Rev. Filibus Musa, Archbishop of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN), said in spite of denominational differences, the church in Nigeria maintained a unified voice against hate.
”When others preach hate and anger, we must insist on speaking love, mercy, and care. Democracy is not just about electing leaders; it is about working for the common good.
“When the Anglicans, Catholics, Pentecostals, or Methodists speak, it is the collective voice of the church seeking collaboration for Nigeria’s welfare,” Musa noted.
In his address of welcome, the Dean, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Blessing Yindah, recalled the WCC’s historical support to Nigeria during the Civil War and present solidarity with persecuted Christian communities.
Yindah representing the Primate, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, noted that Nigeria was home to over 100 million Christians and ranked as the fourth largest Christian population globally.
According to him, the country remains central to global ecumenical fellowship.
Dr David Bob-Manuel, Supreme Head of the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim (ESOCS) Worldwide, urged Nigerians to embrace forgiveness and peaceful coexistence.
”God is not foolish to bring Catholics, Muslims, and diverse groups together in one nation.
“He put us together so we can live in peace, love, and unity. If someone offends you, forgive them so that peace can reign,” Bob-Manuel urged.
The WCC delegation’s working visit continues with further engagements aimed at strengthening ecumenical partnerships and peacebuilding initiatives across the region.
