The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has issued a directive prohibiting the use of its pulpits and platforms for political statements or partisan rhetoric.
The decision was announced in a memo dated July 11 and signed by the Primate of the Anglican Church, Archbishop Henry Ndukuba, following an episcopal consultation held in the Diocese of Nike, Enugu State.
The church’s Director of Communication, Korede Akintunde, shared the memo on social media, outlining new guidelines for all parishes on how to receive politicians and public figures during church events.
The directive emphasises that while the church remains open to worshippers of all political affiliations, its pulpits must not serve as platforms for political campaigning or divisive statements.
This move reportedly comes in response to recent remarks made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, during a thanksgiving service at St. James’ Anglican Church in Asokoro, Abuja, on July 6.
The event, which marked the completion of projects commissioned by President Bola Tinubu, saw Wike making comments perceived as targeting the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi. The minister had suggested that Obi’s political relevance had waned and questioned his following among Nigerians.
The Anglican Church’s new guidelines reaffirm its commitment to maintaining a neutral and sacred space for worship, free from political influence. The memo stresses that clergy and church officials must ensure that guest speakers, including politicians, refrain from using church gatherings to advance partisan agendas.
The church leadership urged all dioceses and parishes to adhere strictly to the directive, reminding them that the pulpit should remain a place for spiritual edification rather than political discourse. This measure aims to preserve the sanctity of worship while fostering unity among congregants, regardless of their political leanings.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
