Anglican Church Bans Politicians from Speaking on Its Podium, One Week After Wike’s Thanksgiving
In a move that has reverberated across Nigeria’s political and religious spheres, the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has officially banned politicians and government officials from speaking on any of its podiums during church services. The directive, which was made public through a memo signed by the Primate of the Church, Most Revd Dr. Henry Ndukuba, comes barely a week after the high-profile thanksgiving service hosted by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, at St James’ Anglican Church, Asokoro, Abuja.
At the centre of this development lies a growing unease over the intersection of pulpit and power — a longstanding controversy in Nigeria where religion and politics often overlap, sometimes blurring the boundaries between spiritual leadership and political performance. This ban, while framed as a spiritual and ethical decision, is being viewed by many as a direct institutional response to Wike’s recent actions, which some clerics and congregants found to be provocative and divisive.
This report examines the full implications of this ban, its timing, the message it sends to political elites, and what it signals for the future of church-state relations in Nigeria.
The Anglican Communion’s directive was formally issued during an Episcopal Consultation held in the Diocese of Nike, Enugu. The document not only banned politicians from speaking on the pulpit during services but also laid out additional measures to preserve the sanctity and neutrality of church gatherings. Most pointedly, it instructed that the lectern — the pulpit reserved for the reading of God’s Word — should remain off-limits to political figures and their associates.
The memo reads in part:
“Church leaders and officiants must refrain from making statements or behaving in ways that could be construed as politically aligned or sectional… No guest should be allowed to speak from the lectern, which has been set aside for the reading of God’s Word.”
Furthermore, the memo warned against the glorification of politicians by church leaders and members during public worship. While acknowledging the freedom of all citizens — including politicians — to attend services, the Church insisted that it is not a platform for political propaganda.
“The Church remains committed, under God, to being the light of the world and the salt of the earth,” it said, referencing Matthew 5:13–14.
Though the Church’s memo did not directly name Wike, many observers interpret the timing and content of the directive as a direct institutional rebuke of the events of Sunday, July 6, 2025. On that day, Nyesom Wike, the embattled Minister of the FCT and former Governor of Rivers State, hosted a flamboyant thanksgiving service at the prestigious St James’ Anglican Church in Asokoro.
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Ostensibly organized to mark the completion and commissioning of various infrastructural projects in Abuja, the thanksgiving quickly took on a political hue. From the altar, Wike used the opportunity not only to extol his achievements but also to launch verbal attacks on perceived political enemies — both within and outside the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
In a fiery speech, Wike criticized members of the opposition and even cast aspersions on certain figures within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), fueling speculations about ongoing internal rifts. His remarks, delivered from the church lectern, sparked instant outrage on social media and in religious circles. Many found it distasteful and inappropriate for a house of worship.
A senior clergy in the Diocese of Abuja, who spoke to this reporter on condition of anonymity, said:
“The Church cannot allow itself to become a platform for political score-settling. What happened during that thanksgiving was unbecoming. It’s clear we needed to take action, and this is what the Primate has done.”
The Anglican Church’s decision is being widely interpreted as a strong reaffirmation of its apolitical stance at a time when Nigeria is grappling with political division, widespread disillusionment, and distrust in institutions. Over the years, religious platforms have increasingly become venues for politicians to either launder their image or attack opponents under the guise of thanksgiving or church patronage.
Many politicians have used church events — including funerals, weddings, crusades, and dedications — as stages to test the political waters, often injecting partisan narratives into what should otherwise be solemn, spiritual gatherings. Critics argue that such practices erode the credibility of religious institutions and compromise their prophetic role in society.
For years, churches have walked a delicate line: offering spiritual counsel to leaders while trying to remain above the fray of politics. In Nigeria, where the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) have sometimes issued politically charged statements, maintaining neutrality has proven challenging.
“What we are seeing is a bold attempt by the Anglican Church to reassert the boundary between the sacred and the secular. It’s a reaction to a wider cultural trend where religious platforms have been hijacked by politicians.”
The Anglican directive has drawn a variety of responses from different quarters. While many faithful within the Communion have welcomed the decision, others worry about its potential to cause tension with influential political figures who see the Church as a traditional base of support.
Father Clement Arinze, a parish priest in Awka, Anambra State, expressed his support for the ban:
“The altar is a holy place. Politicians can sit in the pews and listen like everyone else. They have no business preaching politics from the pulpit.”
Others, however, believe the policy may strain the Church’s relationship with some of its wealthy and influential patrons. A retired bishop in the Lagos Diocese, who requested anonymity, said:
“We must tread carefully. While the message is noble, we must not create the impression that we are rejecting people. The Church is also a place for dialogue and transformation.”
On social media, reactions have ranged from praise to ridicule. On X (formerly Twitter), the hashtag #KeepPoliticsOffThePulpit trended for hours after the news broke.
A user, @AdaNaija, tweeted:
“Finally! A Church with spine. Thank you Anglican Communion for drawing the line.”
Another user, @Waziri_Abuja, wrote:
“So after Wike turned a church service into a political rally, they suddenly realised the pulpit should be holy?”
The Anglican Church’s ban carries weight not only as a spiritual decision but also as a subtle political statement. In Nigeria, where religion plays a massive role in shaping public perception and legitimacy, being denied access to church podiums could have significant implications for politicians seeking moral validation or grassroots mobilisation.
Nyesom Wike himself is a seasoned political operator who understands the power of optics. His frequent appearances at religious functions have helped him build a populist image — as a “man of God” who blends political savvy with religious rhetoric. The July 6 thanksgiving was not his first such event, but it may be the one that finally triggered institutional pushback.
Political analyst Dr. Ayo Ogunwale noted:
“What this signals is that even religious institutions are becoming wary of being used. It’s a quiet indictment of Wike’s style and a message to other politicians who treat the church like a campaign ground.”
Others wonder if the decision will inspire similar moves by other denominations, particularly in the run-up to the 2027 general elections. With politicians already jostling for relevance and visibility, the restriction of church podiums could alter campaign strategies.
The Anglican Communion’s stand may serve as a catalyst for broader reform within Nigerian Christianity. Already, voices within the Catholic Church and some Pentecostal blocs have been calling for more discipline and restraint when it comes to political engagements within sacred spaces.
The Catholic Church, for instance, has traditionally maintained a stricter liturgical order, and priests rarely allow politicians to speak during mass. However, exceptions do occur, especially during funerals and high-profile events. If more churches adopt the Anglican model, it could mark a cultural shift in how faith institutions engage with power.
There’s also a question of enforcement. In dioceses where church-state ties run deep, will bishops and parish leaders adhere to the ban, or will local politics override ecclesiastical discipline?
Rev. Michael Olumide of the Diocese of Ibadan believes enforcement will be the true test:
“It’s one thing to issue a memo. It’s another to ensure compliance. But I believe this is a step in the right direction.”
The Anglican Church’s ban on politicians speaking from its podiums represents more than just a policy change. It reflects a deeper yearning to reclaim the moral authority of the Church in a time of national disillusionment. By drawing a firm line, the Church has signalled that it will no longer allow its altars to be used as tools of political theatre.
In a country where politics is deeply personalised and often entangled with religion, this decision may inspire reflection — not just among clergy, but also among politicians who have grown accustomed to ecclesiastical affirmation. Whether this marks the beginning of a larger movement toward depoliticising religious spaces remains to be seen.
But one thing is clear: the Anglican Communion has thrown down a moral gauntlet. The question now is who — and which institutions — will rise to meet it.