Leaders of the Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Baptist and African Church buildings in Osun State have known as on eligible voters to take possession of the nation’s democratic course of, stressing that God has empowered residents to impact change by themselves and won’t do for them what they will do by way of poll.
The high-ranking clerics additionally advocated for mass participation within the electoral course of, simply as they known as for peaceable coexistence amongst Nigerians earlier than, throughout and after the forthcoming elections within the nation.
The decision was made at an ecumenical service held at St. Benedict Catholic Cathedral, Popo, Osogbo, the place bishops and representatives of the Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Baptist and African Church buildings gathered to wish for Osun State and urged Christians to gather their Everlasting Voter’s Playing cards (PVCs) and take part actively within the electoral course of.
Particularly, they urged voters in Osun State to take critically the August 8, 2026 governorship election, warning them in opposition to apathy and promoting their votes.
Talking on the particular spiritual worship, the Catholic Bishop of Osogbo Diocese, Most Rev. John Oyejola, stated God has already given the humanity the capability and accountability to form society, noting that voting is likely one of the sensible methods believers can renew the face of the earth.
“God won’t ever come all the way down to do for us what we are able to do for ourselves, he has given us the need, the propensity and the potential to make issues occur. That’s the reason He says we’re the salt of the earth and the sunshine of the world,” he stated.
Oyejola, described voting as each a civic and ethical obligation, warning that failure to vote by those that are eligible quantities to sin, whereas promoting one’s PVC is a good better ethical failing.
He declared, “If you’re of age and also you refuse to vote, you’re committing a sin, should you promote your PVC, you’re committing a better sin. What we do at this time isn’t just for us, however for our youngsters and our youngsters’s kids.”
Oyejola urged Christians to gather and safeguard their PVCs and to vote for candidates able to serving the nation responsibly and lowering hardship amongst residents.
In his remarks, the African Church Bishop of the Osun Central Missionary Diocese, Rt. Rev. James Bamidele, cautioned residents, significantly youths, in opposition to permitting themselves for use for violence or electoral malpractice.
“Politicians will come to purchase your votes and your conscience, don’t be part of unhealthy caucuses that can make issues chaotic. Exit on election day, forged your vote, defend it peacefully and refuse to promote your PVC,” Bamidele stated.
Earlier in his sermon titled: “Jesus Christ, Our Mannequin,” Bishop Bamidele reminded worshippers that temptation is inevitable, noting that even Jesus Christ was tempted. He defined that whereas temptation itself isn’t sin, yielding to it’s, urging Christians to withstand inducements that compromise their religion and civic accountability.
Representing the President of the Osun Baptist Convention, Rev. Dr. Olubunmi Obalade, Rev. Dr. Sunday Ajekigbe inspired eligible voters to gather their PVCs, stressing that voter registration had closed and that possession of the cardboard is important to fulfilling one’s civic responsibility.
“When you don’t have your voter’s card, you could not be capable to carry out your accountability as a citizen”, he stated whereas additionally cautioning church leaders in opposition to directing congregants towards any political get together, given the range of political affiliations inside church buildings.
The Anglican Bishop of Osogbo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Folusho Babatunji, represented by Ven. Sam Akinlawon, urged Christians to behave as brokers of peace earlier than, throughout and after the election. He warned in opposition to involvement in violence and inspired believers to hold “the gospel of peace” always.
Equally, the Methodist Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Olu Arinola, represented by Rev. Samson Oluwafeyitimi, known as on residents to watch out and accountable, encouraging them to gather their PVCs, vote rigorously and mix prayer with accountable civic motion.
The ecumenical service is a unified stance by mainline church buildings in Osun State to advertise peaceable participation within the democratic course of, because the clerics pledged continued engagement with their congregations to uphold peace, integrity and accountable citizenship for the betterment of the state.