Governor Dapo Abiodun urges the church to back peaceful 2027 election participation and reject violence, intimidation and malpractice
On Wednesday, 16 September 2026, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun asked the Church in Nigeria to mobilise members for responsible citizenship and peaceful participation in the 2027 general elections.
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Governor Dapo Abiodun spoke at the opening of the 15th General Synod of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) at Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Ikenne.
He asked the church to use its pulpit against provocation, intimidation, falsehood, malpractice and violence before, during and after the vote. Elections, he said, should be a contest of ideas, not a fight among neighbours.
“As we approach the forthcoming 2027 general elections, I enjoin the church to promote responsible citizenship and peaceful participation. Encourage your members to perform their civic responsibilities conscientiously and reject provocation, intimidation, misinformation, electoral malpractices, and violence. Elections should be a contest of ideas, visions, and programmes—not a battlefield upon which brothers and sisters turn against one another. Political differences are temporary, but the bonds that unite us are enduring.”
He also asked clergy to stay close enough to government to partner, and independent enough to give honest counsel. “The prophetic voice of the church must correct without hatred, challenge without bitterness, and speak truth to power without surrendering love.”
The synod theme is “The Priesthood of All Believers: Equipping God’s People for the Work of the Ministry.” Governor Dapo Abiodun said it was the first time in 42 years that Ogun State had hosted the gathering.
He welcomed the Primate of All Nigeria and Bishop of Abuja, Most Reverend Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, and congratulated the Anglican Diocese of Remo, led by the Bishop of Remo and Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos, Most Reverend Dr Michael Olusina Fape.
He praised the Anglican Church’s work in schools, hospitals and moral teaching, and asked the church to mentor young people away from violence, crime, drugs, fraud and extremism.
Development, he said, needed government, churches, traditional rulers, business and civic groups together.
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Most Reverend Michael Olusina Fape thanked the diocese for hosting and asked the church to keep serving its communities, evangelising and offering hope.
