Politics, Politicians, and the Church: When the Altar Becomes a Campaign Ground
By Jerry Adesewo
I had just finished my ministration at our headquarters church in Kubwa and was hurrying out to attend to an emergency at my place of work. Outside the gate, while waiting for my Bolt ride, I noticed a campaign-branded Sienna bus parked directly in front of the church entrance.
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At first, I assumed the vehicle had developed a fault. I was already calling the attention of the security post to find out what was wrong and ensure it was moved to a safer distance when someone I knew stepped down from the bus.
“Ha, sir, you need to come back inside o,” he said cheerfully. “It’s you people we came to see. I brought my friend for prayers—and for campaign.”
We exchanged pleasantries. Just then my ride arrived, and I quietly excused myself. But throughout the journey from Kubwa to Zone, one thought occupied my mind relentlessly: the complicated chess game between politicians and the Church in the theatre of Nigerian politics.
The Church as a Political Marketplace
Election seasons have become predictable. Politicians suddenly rediscover God. They attend vigils they never prayed at, kneel at altars they never served, and quote Scriptures they never lived by. They seek photo-ops with pastors, prophetic endorsements, and public prayers—often broadcast live.
Once the elections are over and power is secured, many disappear as suddenly as they appeared. The church they once courted becomes irrelevant. The altar that hosted them becomes silent. The prayers they solicited are forgotten.
The troubling question is not whether politicians come to church. It is why they come—and what happens after.
Belonging Without Believing
Many of those who seek the Church during elections are not Christians by belief, conviction, or conduct. They do not share the Church’s values in policy, governance, or personal life. Yet they understand something crucial: the Church still commands influence.
So they come—not to submit, but to secure votes.
Not to be transformed, but to be validated.
Not to listen, but to be seen.
They use the Church as a ladder, then kick it away once they climb into office.
This is not evangelism. It is exploitation.
When the Altar Loses Its Discernment
The greater tragedy is not that politicians use the Church—but that sometimes, the Church allows itself to be used.
When pastors compete to host candidates, when altars are opened without questions, when prayers are offered without accountability, and when endorsements are given without examining character, the Church risks losing its prophetic authority.
The altar must never become a campaign ground.
Scripture reminds us that the prophets were not chaplains to power; they were conscience to power. Nathan confronted David. Elijah challenged Ahab. John the Baptist rebuked Herod. None of them traded truth for access.
Prayers Without Repentance Are Empty
There is nothing wrong with praying for leaders or aspiring leaders. Scripture commands it. But prayer without repentance, prayer without commitment to justice, prayer without a change of heart is nothing more than spiritual theatre.
God does not bless ambition; He blesses righteousness.
When politicians kneel at altars but refuse to uphold justice, protect the vulnerable, or govern with integrity, the Church must resist the temptation to sanctify their ambition.
The Church is not a prayer contractor for political success.
The Cost of Silence
When the Church becomes silent after elections—when it stops speaking truth to power because it once prayed for power—it betrays its calling.
Silence in the face of injustice is not neutrality; it is complicity.
If the Church prays politicians into office but cannot speak when corruption thrives, when insecurity worsens, when poverty deepens, then the altar has been reduced to a ceremonial tool.
The Church must be bold enough to say:
“We prayed for you—but we will also question you.”
“We blessed your ambition—but we will challenge your actions.”
“We opened our doors—but we will not close our mouths.”
A Word to Politicians
If you come to the Church, come sincerely.
Do not kneel at the altar if you will stand against justice in office.
Do not quote Scripture if you will ignore its demands.
Do not seek prayers if you will despise righteousness.
God is not mocked. The altar is not a strategy room. The Church is not an electoral structure.
Leadership is stewardship, not entitlement.
A Word to the Church
The Church must recover its prophetic courage.
We must pray—but also discern.
We must welcome—but also question.
We must bless—but also rebuke.
Our loyalty is not to politicians; it is to God.
Our mandate is not to win elections; it is to preserve truth.
If the Church loses its moral voice, society loses its compass.
The Altar Must Remain Holy
As I replayed that brief encounter outside the church gate, I realised that the real battle is not between politicians and parties, but between truth and convenience.
The Church must decide whether it will be an altar of power or an altar of prophecy.
One attracts visitors.
The other shapes nations.
May we never trade our spiritual authority for political relevance.
May the altar remain holy.
And may the Church never forget that its greatest power is not in influencing elections—but in forming consciences.
Because when the Church stands for truth,
God will stand with the Church—
long after politicians have come and gone.