Former Ogun State Governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has urged members of the Church of the Lord (Aladura) to sustain prayers for Nigeria and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid during the church’s annual festival in Ogere Remo, Ogun State.
Daniel made the appeal during the gathering, where he emphasised the importance of spiritual guidance for Nigeria’s leadership as the country moves towards the 2027 general elections.
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He called on the church community to maintain what he described as an unyielding altar of prayer for the President and the nation, particularly amid the economic and social pressures confronting Nigerians.
The former governor also expressed hope that the influence of major faith communities could contribute to credible, transparent and peaceful elections in 2027.
The appeal carries both spiritual and political significance. The Church of the Lord, commonly associated with the Aladura tradition, has deep historical roots in Ogere, where Prophet Josiah Olunowo Ositelu established the church in 1930.
The church’s annual Tabieorar Festival has since grown into a major gathering for its members, combining worship, prayer, fellowship and reflection on national and community affairs.
Historical records from the Church of the Lord place the first Tabieorar Festival at Ogere on August 22, 1937. The annual event has continued to serve as an important spiritual gathering for members of the church.
Daniel’s connection with the church also extends beyond politics. His late father, the Most Rev. Abraham Adebola Daniel, was a clergyman who was associated with the Church of the Lord Aladura and served the church in different parts of Nigeria and West Africa.
That background has contributed to Daniel’s longstanding relationship with Christian communities in Ogun State.
His latest intervention, however, comes against the backdrop of his increasingly active campaign for Tinubu’s re-election.
In September 2025, Daniel unveiled the BATOGD movement in Igode-Remo, Sagamu, as a platform to mobilise support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
At the launch, Daniel made his position clear, arguing that his support for the President was connected to the administration’s economic reform agenda.
“Our support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is sacrosanct,” Daniel said during the launch of the movement.
The former governor has since continued to engage communities and political stakeholders in support of Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
His appearance at Ogere adds a significant grassroots and faith-based dimension to that political effort, although his endorsement should not be interpreted as representing the position of every member of the church.
The Aladura movement has historically placed strong emphasis on prayer, spiritual discipline and communal responsibility.
Its influence in parts of south-western Nigeria has also made its major gatherings important occasions for national reflection.
Previous editions of the Tabieorar Festival have featured prayers for Nigeria and its leaders. Thousands of worshippers have attended the annual gathering, including political, traditional and community leaders.
The festival therefore provides a natural setting for conversations about the country’s political and social direction, even as its primary purpose remains religious.
For Daniel, the message is straightforward: Nigeria needs sustained prayers, responsible leadership and a peaceful electoral process.
The political dimension is equally clear. With the 2027 election approaching, politicians and political movements are already strengthening grassroots networks across states and communities.
Ogun State remains an important political battleground because of its strategic position in the South-West and its strong connections to national political networks.
Daniel’s call for support for Tinubu consequently places the Ogere gathering within the wider political conversation ahead of the next presidential election.
At the same time, his emphasis on peaceful elections reflects a broader concern over the quality of Nigeria’s democratic process.
As political activity increases, religious institutions and community organisations are likely to remain important spaces for civic engagement.
The challenge will be to ensure that political mobilisation does not undermine the independence of religious communities or the integrity of the electoral process.
Daniel’s message at Ogere ultimately brought faith, national responsibility and electoral politics into the same conversation.
For the former governor, continued prayer for Nigeria and support for Tinubu represent part of what he believes is necessary to sustain the country’s current direction.
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For Nigerian voters, however, the final decision on the country’s political leadership will rest with the electorate when the ballots are cast in 2027.
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Mariam Balogun is a contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
