A former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State, Chief Iyiola Oyedepo, has declared that nothing forbids a Christian from emerging as governor of the state in 2027.
Oyedepo warned that attempts to exclude candidates based on religion could fan dangerous sectarian embers already threatening Nigeria’s fragile peace.
The lawyer and former Chief Whip of the Kwara State House of Assembly urged Kwaran State people to reject divisive politics and embrace competence and fairness in choosing the next governor of the state.
He noted that religion has always been exploited as a political tool, but not a genuine reflection of voters’ beliefs.
“Politicians deploy many variables to win elections — religion is one of them. But saying a Christian cannot win in Kwara is self-serving and against public interest,” he said.
Oyedepo said issue-based campaigning and sincere engagement with the people, including Muslim communities, remain the surest path to victory.
He, however, warned that allowing religious bigotry to dominate politics at this time could have grave national consequences.
“With the global focus on Nigeria following America’s designation of the country as one of ‘particular concern’ over religious intolerance, we must not allow extremist narratives to define us,” he cautioned.
