By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan
Reports that Pastor David Oyedepo criticised Nigerians who support the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 presidential election have continued to generate reactions, with Satguru Maharaj Ji taking issue with what he described as politically divisive interventions by prominent religious leaders.
Maharaj Ji urged religious leaders to exercise responsibility when commenting on political matters, particularly as the country approached another general elections.
He made this statement in a press release he personally signed and made available to journalists on Tuesday.
“Nigerians have the right to make their political choices freely and should not be subjected to pressure, condemnation or negative characterization, because of the candidates or political parties they support,” he stated.
Maharaj Ji maintained that spiritual leaders had a greater responsibility to promote peace, tolerance and unity, rather than contribute to political tension.
“The pulpit should not become a platform for creating hostility among Nigerians on account of their political preferences,” he said.
He also questioned the role of organised religion in Nigeria’s political and social development, arguing that religious institutions should pay greater attention to poverty, unemployment, insecurity, education and other challenges confronting ordinary citizens.
Maharaj Ji criticised what he described as the excessive material influence of some religious institutions, arguing that wealthy religious organisations could do more to complement government’s efforts through investments in education, employment, housing and other social interventions for vulnerable Nigerians.
“Spiritual leadership should principally be concerned with helping people discover their relationship with the Creator and develop a deeper sense of responsibility, compassion and love for humanity, rather than becoming excessively involved in partisan political contests,” he urged.
Maharaj Ji further argued that religious influence should not be used to encourage Nigerians to see one another as enemies simply because of differences in political opinion.
He recalled several periods of national difficulty, including insecurity, road accidents and the COVID-19 pandemic, to make the point that religious leaders should be assessed not only by their public pronouncements but also by their practical contributions to society during difficult moments.
He also referred to the late Chief MKO Abiola and the events surrounding the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, arguing that, in his view, religious leaders could have played a stronger role in advocating justice, peace and national reconciliation during the crisis.
On the broader question of spirituality, Maharaj Ji reiterated his belief that the Creator existed within all people and creation, challenging religious and spiritual leaders should concentrate to help people discover that divine connection rather than make material wealth and institutional expansion the centre of religious life.
He specifically addressed Pastor Oyedepo and former Christian Association of Nigeria President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, telling them to reconsider the tone and implications of their political interventions.
Maharaj Ji Thumbs Up Tinubu, Backs President’s Re-election Quest
Maharaj Ji has taken a different position on the Tinubu administration, publicly supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
He said he believed the Tinubu administration had undertaken initiatives that deserve recognition, citing reforms in taxation, the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), efforts to improve internally generated revenue, the proposed state police framework, infrastructure development and initiatives in the electricity and livestock sectors.
He also commended efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen the country’s security architecture, saying the government ought to continue developing effective strategies to protect farmers, rural communities and other citizens from criminal attacks.
According to him, Nigerians should assess the Tinubu administration on the basis of its policies, programmes and measurable results rather than relying exclusively on political rhetoric.
He maintained that supporters of the President should equally be allowed to express their political preferences without being insulted or negatively characterised because of their decision.
Further Lays Into Religious Leaders
Maharaj Ji further called for a clearer separation between spiritual leadership and partisan politics, arguing that religious leaders have the right to express their views but must also recognise that political authority ultimately belongs to the electorate.
He said religious leaders should use their considerable influence to encourage peaceful elections, responsible citizenship and national unity as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections intensify.
He warned that disagreements over political choices should not degenerate into hatred, religious intolerance, ethnic hostility or attempts to intimidate citizens because of their preferred candidates.
Maharaj Ji, therefore, told Oyedepo to retract or reconsider comments attributed to him concerning Nigerians who support the APC.
“Political disagreements should be handled through dialogue and democratic engagement rather than denunciation,” he said.
He similarly challenged Oritsejafor and other senior religious leaders to make their contributions to national discourse in ways that encourage Nigerians to examine candidates, policies and records objectively before casting their votes.
According to Maharaj Ji, Nigeria needed spiritual and community leaders who can serve as bridges among citizens and help reduce political tension rather than deepen existing divisions.
He said the country had gone through enough political, economic and security challenges and cannot afford a situation where political disagreements among influential personalities further divide ordinary Nigerians.
Maharaj Ji concluded by calling on Nigerians to remain peaceful, respect divergent political opinions and place the overall interest of the country above partisan considerations.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Maharaj Ji.
