Get Guardian on GoogleThe Founder and Lead Pastor of the Transforming Church, Reverend Sam Oye, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that votes count in the 2027 general elections.
The cleric also called for national unity, spiritual rebirth and accountability in public office ahead of the 2027 elections.
Oye disclosed this in Abuja, during the announcement of the church’s 10th annual San Juan Worship Conference, also known as Encounter 2026, scheduled for Friday, November 6, under the theme, “El-Ezer (God, My Helper)“.
The conference, expected to attract thousands of worshippers from across the country, will begin at 9pm and continue until dawn at the church’s auditorium in Gwarinpa, Abuja.
He stressed that public confidence in the electoral process is essential to preventing political tension and violence
Addressing concerns over the impact of the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket on the Christian community, Oye said he had not seen concrete evidence of any federal government policy or deliberate action aimed at Islamising Nigeria or restricting Christians’ freedom of worship.
Oye said: “INEC must remain an independent institution, free from corrupting influences, so that Nigerians can be confident that when they go to the polls in 2027, their votes will count.
“It is not enough for votes to be counted; they must be allowed to count in determining the outcome of elections. Nigerians need the assurance that adequate systems are in place to guarantee free, fair and credible elections.”
He said the conference was conceived as a platform for bringing Nigerians together across religious, ethnic and political divides, while providing an opportunity to pray for the country and restore hope amid prevailing economic challenges.
Oye also cautioned religious leaders against turning church pulpits into platforms for endorsing politicians or political parties, insisting that the church should promote unity rather than deepen political divisions.
He added, “The first thing we seek to promote is unity by breaking down the walls that divide us. We believe Nigerians can come together, irrespective of political affiliations. People from the APC, PDP and other political parties can gather first as Nigerians and then as people who worship God.”
According to him, the country’s ongoing reform process has imposed considerable hardship on citizens, making it necessary to create platforms where people can find encouragement, spiritual strength and renewed hope.
He said the conference would extend beyond individual needs to include collective prayers for Nigeria and its leadership.
In his remarks, the church’s Central Area Pastor, Pastor Emmanuel Isaiah, said the conference was conceived 10 years ago, with its inaugural edition held in 2016.
Isaiah explained that the vision was to bring people from different denominations, including Christians and non-Christians, together in an atmosphere of worship and prayer.
He said one of the conference’s cardinal objectives was to use worship as a platform for promoting national unity and offering collective prayers for divine intervention in Nigeria’s challenges.
Isaiah said: “Our lead pastor has championed this vision over the past 10 years, bringing people together. That is the core objective of the conference.”
