A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Seye Oladejo, has urged Nigerians to reject attempts to frame the 2027 general elections along religious lines, insisting that governance should be evaluated on competence, capacity and performance rather than faith.

Oladejo, in a statement on Sunday, said religion had repeatedly been introduced into Nigeria’s political discourse during election cycles but had failed to address the fundamental challenges facing the country.

 

According to him, while religion remains an important moral and social institution that shapes values and strengthens communities, it should not be used as a yardstick for assessing political leadership.

 

He argued that the electorate is becoming increasingly conscious of the need to focus on issues that directly affect their lives, including poverty, inflation, unemployment and insecurity, rather than the religious affiliations of candidates.

 

“Good governance cannot be assessed through religious sentiments but through practical solutions and tangible results,” he said.

 

Reflecting on the 2023 presidential election, Oladejo noted that despite widespread debates around religious identity, voters ultimately made choices based on a range of factors, including leadership credentials, political structures, regional considerations and individual convictions.

 

He added that public attention has since shifted to evaluating government performance, particularly in areas such as economic reforms, infrastructure development, security and institutional strengthening.

 

The APC chieftain said President Bola Tinubu inherited significant economic challenges and had embarked on reforms aimed at stabilising public finances, restoring investor confidence and positioning the economy for long-term growth.

 

While acknowledging the hardships associated with some of the reforms, he maintained that emerging economic indicators suggest signs of recovery and renewed confidence in the economy.

 

Oladejo said political discourse ahead of the 2027 elections should focus on issues such as economic management, healthcare, education, agriculture, technology, security, industrialisation and constitutional reforms.

 

He stressed that Nigerians should assess candidates based on their ability to sustain reforms, manage a complex and diverse federation, assemble capable teams and deliver measurable results.

 

“Religion answers none of these questions,” he stated.

 

Oladejo further argued that Nigeria’s history demonstrates that effective leadership is not exclusive to any religious group, noting that both successful and unsuccessful leaders have emerged from different faith backgrounds.

 

He warned against efforts by politicians to exploit religious differences for electoral gain, describing such tactics as divisive and counterproductive to national unity and democratic development.

 

According to him, the country’s diversity should be regarded as a strength, citing the long history of peaceful coexistence among Christians and Muslims in communities, businesses, schools and families across the country.

 

He called on political parties and candidates to prioritise issue-based campaigns and present clear policy alternatives that Nigerians can objectively assess.

 

Oladejo also urged opposition parties to focus on offering credible governance alternatives rather than resorting to religious mobilisation.

 

He said younger voters, who constitute a significant segment of the electorate, are increasingly interested in opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, innovation and improved living standards rather than the faith of political leaders.

 

“As 2027 approaches, Nigerians should insist on one simple principle: let every candidate be judged by character, competence, capacity, courage and compassion, not by the place where he worships,” he said.

 

Oladejo maintained that the 2027 election should be driven by ideas, performance and national development, stressing that governance must remain in the hands of leaders capable of addressing the country’s pressing challenges.