The General Overseer of The Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rev. Sam Aboyeji, has urged Nigerians, particularly Christians, to participate actively in the political process by registering to vote, obtaining their permanent voter cards (PVCs) and voting for candidates of their choice in the 2027 general election.

Aboyeji made the call during a press briefing ahead of the church’s 13th Annual Public Lecture and 71st Annual National Convention.

The public lecture, with the theme “Building to Last: Faith, Infrastructure and the Future of a Nation,” is scheduled to be held on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at The Marquee, Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The church’s 71st Annual National Convention will be held from October 7 to 11, 2026, at the Foursquare Campground in Ajebo, Ogun State, with notable ministers, including Apostle Michael Orokpo and Pastor Wole Oladiyun, among the speakers.

Aboyeji said the church was encouraging Christians to participate in politics because political apathy had, over the years, created opportunities for people who were not necessarily qualified or competent to take charge of governance.

According to him, Nigerians must abandon the long-held perception that politics is a dirty game and recognise participation in the political process as a civic responsibility.

He said: “We must let people know that they must have their voter cards. In the past, we taught people that politics was a dirty game, and many people who would have been useful to the system stayed away.

“Now, we need to undo what we did in the past. When you are wise and too clever to participate in politics, idiots will rule over you. That is what we are now trying to undo.”

The cleric stressed that the church would not dictate the political candidates its members should support but would encourage them to exercise their constitutional rights and vote according to their convictions.”