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,”

Founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Professor Jerry Gana, has revealed that the party has begun reaching out to Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, as part of a broader strategy to build a united opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during an appearance on AIT’s Focus Nigeria on Friday, July 25, 2025, Prof. Gana confirmed that while formal negotiations are still in progress, early engagements have already taken place.

“I’m the leader of the delegation. But I’ve met people… You know, Peter is good… I’ve met him (Peter Obi), and I’ve met people, you know, that are going to be the people he’ll refer to. And I’ve sat with them for hours, and we’re moving step by step,” he said.

Gana noted that the PDP’s renewed internal unity, as demonstrated in its recent National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, has laid the groundwork for these reconciliation efforts.

He expressed optimism that the improved structure of the party will encourage former members to return.

“Yesterday we had a fantastic NEC, and I was so happy, because the next NEC is a convention at Ibadan in November. We’ll do it very, very well. So I have a very solid platform. I can now go back to these people and say, look, we’re set.”

“The platform you are complaining about is now set, is now organized, is now proper, is now ready to move. And I know many of them will respond,” he added.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially zoned its presidential ticket for the 2027 elections to the Southern region of Nigeria.

This strategic decision was made during the party’s 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja, and comes with potential implications for the party’s internal power dynamics especially between the camps of Governor Seyi Makinde and Minister Nyesom Wike.

Alongside this zoning decision, the NEC also moved the venue of its Elective National Convention from Kano to Ibadan, Oyo State, a move widely interpreted as a boost to Governor Makinde’s rising influence within the party.

The NEC’s decision to zone the presidency to the South is a reversal of the 2023 open-ticket policy, and is seen as aligning with Makinde’s possible presidential ambition.

A PDP NEC member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “The mood in the hall was largely in favour of unity and strategic balance. After carefully weighing the options, we agreed to adopt the founding fathers’ recommendation to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to the South. This is meant to rebuild trust among our southern members after the 2023 fallout.”

“At the same time, we retained the existing zoning formula for national offices to prevent further conflict. It was a delicate compromise, but one we believe will help reposition the PDP ahead of the next election.” the source added.

During a closed-door session, the NEC approved a new timetable for the Elective National Convention, now scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, explained:

“The NEC expressed satisfaction over the resolution of all disputes within the party. This again shows the patriotic nature of our members and the PDP’s tradition of dialogue and mutual understanding for the good of the party and the nation.”

Some insiders interpret the venue switch as a tactical move to strengthen Governor Makinde’s influence, especially as tensions escalate between his camp and that of former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.

While once allies, Wike and Makinde have now become political adversaries. Wike has accused Makinde of breaching internal agreements and allegedly working to weaken the PDP from within.

In retaliation, Makinde’s supporters accuse Wike of plotting to destabilize the PDP to benefit the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of 2027.

The PDP NEC took a firm stance on defections, directing the National Working Committee (NWC) to initiate legal processes to reclaim the seats of defected lawmakers, both at federal and state levels.

Quoting the Nigerian Constitution, the NEC stated “By virtue of the self-executory provision of Sections 68 (1) (g) and 109 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), such defectors have irredeemably lost their seats.”

Additionally, the NEC warned members dabbling in activities of rival parties, urging them to return to the PDP and remain loyal.

“NEC calls on these members to reconsider their actions and show loyalty and commitment to the PDP. The law does not allow membership of two political parties at the same time,” said Ologunagba.

To ensure transparency, the NEC also approved the membership of the National Convention Committee and the Convention Zoning Committee, and adjourned with the 102nd NEC meeting scheduled for August 25, 2025.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara, emphasized the importance of the upcoming convention in reviving the party.

Represented by Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Wabara noted: “The Board of Trustees has always supported all organs of the party, especially the governors, in promoting unity and building consensus to move the party forward.”

He also addressed the skeptics who doubted the NEC meeting would take place:

“This is a very important meeting that many believed would never happen. But here we are, meeting legally and constitutionally. The decisions we take today will send a strong message to those who are still sceptical.”

Ambassador Iliya Damagum, the party’s acting National Chairman, celebrated the return of many members who had defected to a rival coalition.

“Many who jumped on the coalition bandwagon have already returned to our fold. Some even claim they never left and merely attended a meeting. We accept their confessions without prejudice.”

He further praised party officials for their resilience:

“I commend our state chairmen, governors, and legislators for their unwavering loyalty.”

Senator Bala Mohammed, Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, said the party is willing to accept back defectors, but urged them to return soon.

“We sympathise with those who became impatient and left, but certainly, they will come to understand. We are keeping the door open for them to return, within a reasonable timeframe.”

He added: “We are working quietly behind the scenes with the NWC, the Board of Trustees (BoT), our lawmakers in the National Assembly, and party chapters across the six geopolitical zones, to ensure we remain united.”

Mohammed concluded with a stern reminder about discipline:

“Acts of indiscipline were the root of many of our past troubles. That cannot be allowed to continue.”