From ‘Devil’s Candidate’ to a ‘Man of Insight’: Dramatic Evolution of Pastor Chris and President Tinubu
ABUJA — In the volatile landscape of Nigerian politics, the relationship between influential religious leaders and political figures often shifts like the wind. Few transitions illustrate this better than the dynamic between the President of LoveWorld Incorporated (Christ Embassy), Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Before the pivotal 2023 general elections, the charismatic televangelist delivered a scathing prophetic verdict on the man who would eventually take the presidency. Fast forward to today, and the narrative has completely flipped, with the Presidency showering the clergyman with high praise.
In Nigeria, politics and religion remain deeply interwoven. The journey from a stern 2023 prophecy to a warm presidential tribute proves that in the corridors of power, permanent enemies rarely exist—only permanent interests.
What exactly did Pastor Chris say before the election, and how did we get to the cordial relationship on display today?
Before the Election: The “Angel’s Verdict” Prophecy
In the heat of the 2023 presidential campaign, Nigerian clerics actively engaged the political system, using spiritual language to interpret the socio-political climate. In February 2023, just days before the polls, Pastor Chris broke the internet during a LoveWorld Praise-Athon.
He announced that an angel had spoken to him regarding the three leading presidential candidates. Without directly calling their names, his descriptions of the frontrunners left no room for doubt among Nigerians:
The “Joker”: He described the first candidate as a joker who simply wanted to rule for the sake of it, lacking a genuine blueprint.
The “Devil’s Influence”: He warned that the second candidate—widely accepted to be the APC ticket represented by Bola Tinubu—was under the influence of the devil. The cleric cautioned that a victory for this candidate would hand the country over to dark spiritual forces.
The “Biblical Name”: He declared that the third candidate was the one God’s spirit pointed to, noting that the name of Nigeria’s next president was in the Bible. This was a direct reference to the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi.
At the time, Pastor Chris’s prophetic stance positioned him as one of the most vocal spiritual critics of the Tinubu ticket, reflecting the deep anxieties many Nigerians held regarding the nation’s political trajectory.
Today: What Changed?
Bola Tinubu won the election and assumed the presidency. Despite inheriting a severely challenged economy—currently characterized by a cost of living crisis, inflation, and controversial reforms like the removal of fuel subsidies—the political hostility from the pulpit has noticeably cooled.
Rather than maintaining a stance of opposition, President Tinubu has actively extended an olive branch to the global televangelist. Recently, as Pastor Chris celebrated his birthday, the President released a glowing congratulatory message. The shift in tone from the Presidency was dramatic and highly complimentary:
Praising His Insight: President Tinubu extolled Pastor Chris for his “rare gift of insight and charity,” describing him as a charismatic teacher of the Word who has impacted lives globally. Acknowledging His Philanthropy: The President commended the cleric’s decades of standing up for the downtrodden and meeting the needs of the underprivileged through his welfare and relief initiatives. Endorsing His Ministry: Tinubu declared that the cardinal message of Pastor Chris’s ministry is love, noting that his work has “changed the face of ministry in Nigeria and beyond.”
The Politics of Peacemaking
Why did the narrative change so drastically? The answer lies in political pragmatism.
Historically, Nigerian religious clerics wield immense influence, often capitalizing on moments of socio-political decay to project authority. For President Tinubu, who is navigating a highly volatile period of economic hardship and public frustration, engaging in a prolonged feud with a mega-pastor commanding millions of loyal followers would be political suicide.
By publicly honoring Pastor Chris, the Tinubu administration is deploying a classic strategy of consensus-building. Acknowledging the clergyman’s massive humanitarian impact bridges the gap between the State House and the church, softening previous tensions.
On the other hand, Pastor Chris has largely returned his primary focus to his global ministry, televangelism, and massive healing crusades. The fiery political prophecies that defined the 2023 campaign trail have been replaced by a mutual, albeit cautious, diplomatic respect.
In Nigeria, politics and religion remain deeply interwoven. The journey from a stern 2023 prophecy to a warm presidential tribute proves that in the corridors of power, permanent enemies rarely exist—only permanent interests.