Human rights activist Deji Adeyanju has issued a sharp warning against mixing religion with politics as Nigeria heads toward the 2027 elections. His target? The growing trend of presidential candidates using places of worship as campaign venues.
Adeyanju specifically called out Nigerian Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi for what he described as renewed church patronage. The activist didn’t stop there. He also condemned a recent gathering where religious clerics reportedly endorsed President Tinubu, organized by a state governor.
What should elections really be about? According to Adeyanju, they should center on ideas, policies, and competing visions for Nigeria’s future. He pointed to the Electoral Act 2026, which expressly prohibits campaigning in places of worship and forbids appeals based on religion, tribe, or sectional grounds.
The activist’s statement carries particular weight given the divisive 2023 election cycle. He warned that the precedent set during that period shouldn’t be repeated or worsened, arguing that politics of religious mobilization divided Nigerians deeply.
Adeyanju called on pastors and religious leaders to stop giving politicians platforms for campaigns or endorsements. Houses of God must remain sacred, he insisted, urging spiritual leaders to protect their respect and independence from political manipulation.
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