Abuja: 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 during a high-level consultative meeting and ecumenical welcome ceremony organized for visiting WCC General Secretary, Rev. Prof. Jerry Pillay.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, speaking to newsmen on the sidelines of the event, Pillay emphasized 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 prioritize national unity for the common good, acknowledging the challenges of economic struggles, political divisions, ethnic issues, and religious differences in Nigeria.
The WCC scribe also admonished political leaders to seek unity and think of the whole of Nigeria, avoiding putting personal or party interests above others. Echoing Pillay’s message, Rev. Israel Akanji, a member of the WCC Central Committee, warned against hate speech and ethnic bigotry ahead of the polls. Akanji noted that despite differences, Nigerians are bound together as one nation.
He commended the WCC’s strategic decision to relocate its Africa Regional Programme Office to Abuja and appealed to the Federal Government to grant the office appropriate legal status. Addressing challenges of insecurity and economic hardship, Julius Abbe, Primate of The African Church, urged decisive action to safeguard lives and restore investor confidence.
Most Rev. Filibus Musa, Archbishop of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN), emphasized the need for the church to maintain a unified voice against hate, advocating for love, mercy, and care. In his address of welcome, Most Rev. Blessing Yindah recalled the WCC’s historical support to Nigeria, noting the country’s central role in 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, highlighting the importance of living in peace, love, and unity.