Pastor Femi Emmanuel, Presiding Pastor of Livingspring Church and a senior chieftain of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), has called on Christians across Nigeria to actively participate in politics.
He emphasized that the Church possesses the numerical strength, intellectual capacity, and financial resources necessary to positively influence governance.
Speaking during a thanksgiving service to mark his 70th birthday at the church’s headquarters in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Emmanuel who is also a former Deputy Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly challenged Christian leaders to step beyond prayer and fasting to engage in the political process.
“Prayers and fasting alone cannot deliver Nigeria,” he said, urging Christians to leverage God-given tools to effect real change in the nation.
He noted that while divine intervention has long been sought, the Church must now act on the resources already provided.
“The Church has failed by assuming politics is dirty and leaving it to career politicians. That mindset is part of why the nation is where it is today,” Pastor Emmanuel declared.
He stressed the importance of grassroots political education and called on Christians to get involved in delegate systems and candidate selections, asserting that without participation, the Church’s voice would remain absent in national decisions.
The celebration drew an esteemed audience of political leaders, clerics, and Christian community members, all gathered to honor Pastor Emmanuel’s contributions to ministry and national development.
Among the dignitaries were former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) (represented by Bishop Olubunmi Banwo, National Chairman of the Bible Society of Nigeria), Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Bishop David Oyedepo, PFN National President Bishop Francis Wale Oke, Emeritus Primate Sunday Ola Makinde, Dr. Supo Ayokunle, and former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung.
Governor Makinde praised the celebrant’s spiritual leadership and national vision:
“A rare leader whose spiritual insight and commitment to state and national transformation have touched countless lives.”
He lauded Pastor Emmanuel’s advocacy for moral governance, describing him as:
“A voice of reason and wisdom in turbulent times.”
Also speaking at the event, Solomon Dalung reflected on Emmanuel’s journey from politics to the pulpit:
“A fantastic Nigerian who once ventured into politics but was divinely redirected into God’s vineyard.”
Dalung praised Emmanuel as: “One of the most enduring and practical preachers of our time,”
While aligning with the pastor’s message by noting “Prayer without political action is not enough to change Nigeria.”
He encouraged Christians to step into political leadership and added:
“Pastor Emmanuel is a statesman in the pulpit,” recognizing his impact on national unity and discourse.
From the religious front, Bishop David Oyedepo, Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, praised Emmanuel’s legacy:
“Pastor Femi Emmanuel has been a torchbearer of truth and kingdom advancement. His legacy is one of courage, vision, and undiluted passion for souls.”
Similarly, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, General Overseer of The Sword of the Spirit Ministries and PFN President, described him as:
“A man of deep convictions and an unrelenting pursuit of God’s purpose.”
He commended Emmanuel for mentoring emerging leaders and urged younger pastors to emulate his example.
Speakers at the service recounted Emmanuel’s early career as a civil engineer, his time as a legislator, and his eventual emergence as a widely respected cleric and social commentator.
In his own remarks, Pastor Emmanuel expressed heartfelt gratitude:
“At 70, I am deeply humbled. I thank God for preserving my life, for growth in ministry, and for the grace to serve.”
Reflecting on his personal and spiritual journey, he added: “With Jesus Christ in my life, the journey became easier,”
