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Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, has rejected claims that Nigeria is an Islamic nation, describing anyone who holds such a view as “mad”.
Oyedepo made the remark in his Sunday service, rebuking the to claims about the religious identity of Nigeria and growing debates over the country’s political direction ahead of the 2027 general election.
He pointed to the presence and activities of major Christian churches across the country, arguing that their widespread congregations and religious activities contradict claims that Nigeria is an Islamic nation.
“Watch Redemption Camp, watch Salvation Ministries, watch Dunamis watch various churches in Nigeria and somebody will stand and say Nigeria is an Islamic nation. Is he mad? Yes, he must be mad,” Oyedepo said.
He also declared that “there shall be strange happening between now and the next 12 months in Nigeria”, although he did not provide details of what he meant by the statement.
The bishop’s comments come amid renewed debate over religion and politics in Nigeria, particularly following remarks by the Chairman of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a Wa’ikamatis Sunnah, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, on the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
Jingir had spoken at a mass wedding organised by the Kano State Government for 1,500 couples, where he declared his support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“My candidate is Bola Ahmad Bola Tinubu. The President selected a Muslim as his vice. I am one of those who called people to support the Muslim-Muslim ticket. I know some non-Muslims don’t like the word Muslim-Muslim”.
“As a Muslim who preaches Islam, if I support Muslim-Muslim, what is my offence? What have I done wrong? I don’t stop anyone who believes or supports another candidate from doing the same,” Jingir said.
The cleric’s remarks generated criticism from some Nigerians, who accused him of using his religious position to influence political choices and deepen religious divisions ahead of the 2027 elections.
Jingir also argued that Muslims constitute the numerical majority in Nigeria and maintained that the country belongs to Muslims, while urging opponents of a Muslim-Muslim ticket to leave.
Oyedepo’s public rebuke adds another prominent religious voice to an increasingly sensitive debate over religion, political representation and national identity as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections intensify.
