Wike : Anglican Church bars politicians from pulpits

In a decisive move to maintain its spiritual integrity, the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has prohibited politicians and public officeholders from speaking from church pulpits during services.

This directive, signed by the Primate of the Church, Most Revd Dr Henry Ndukuba, was aimed at preserving the sanctity of Christian worship and deterring the rising trend of political speeches in religious gatherings.

The Church also cautioned against the open adulation of political leaders, emphasizing the need for neutrality and a strict separation between faith and political partisanship. According to Vanguard, the Church’s leadership expressed deep concern over the increasing politicisation of religious events, which it believes could undermine its mission and values.

“The Church must diligently avoid speeches, conduct, or events that may incite division or foster political bias within the body of Christ,” the Primate stated in the memo.

Among the new guidelines is a directive for clergy to avoid making statements or gestures that could be seen as aligning with any political agenda. The Church emphasized that politicians should be reminded that the altar is not a platform for political messaging.

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Furthermore, the document stated that no guest should be permitted to address the congregation from the lectern, which is reserved for the reading of Scripture.

However, the Church made it clear that government officials and politicians are still welcome to attend worship services and participate in church programmes—just not from the pulpit.

“The Church remains committed, under God, to being the light of the world and the salt of the earth,” the memo said, citing verses from Matthew 5:13–14.

The memo also noted the Church’s ongoing role in constructively engaging with the government on national issues without compromising its spiritual responsibility.

This policy shift follows public outrage over comments made by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, during a thanksgiving service at St James’ Anglican Church in Asokoro, Abuja.

Wike, who was celebrating infrastructure milestones, drew criticism after making what many considered overtly political remarks from the pulpit.

Human rights lawyer Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor condemned the minister’s statements as inappropriate for a place of worship.

“I watched with profound shock and dismay the now-viral video clips capturing yet another appalling display of national disgrace; this time, orchestrated by none other than the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike,” Ejiofor said in a statement.

He described the episode as a “shameful and sacrilegious outburst” that disrespected the sanctity of the church setting.