“I DON’T BELONG TO ANY POLITICAL PARTY, NEVER CAMPAIGNED FOR ANYONE”: OYEDEPO TELLS OGUN APC GUBER CANDIDATE, YAYI

The Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, popularly known as Winners’ Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, on Friday received the Ogun State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, at Canaanland in Ota, Ogun State.

The encounter saw the revered cleric pray for the candidate and his wife while firmly declaring that he does not belong to any political party and has never campaigned for any politician .

THE VISIT

Senator Adeola visited the cleric alongside his wife, Mrs Temitope Adeola, on Friday, October 16, 2026.

He disclosed the visit in a statement shared on his social media handle, describing it as a courtesy call to a “revered spiritual father” and expressing gratitude for the reception and prayers he received during the meeting.

“The visit provided us with a wonderful opportunity to interact with the distinguished man of God, whose remarkable contributions to Christianity, spiritual development, education and humanity have continued to inspire millions of people across Nigeria and beyond. We deeply appreciate the warm reception accorded to us and remain grateful for his fatherly prayers and blessings,” Adeola said.

Photographs shared alongside the account of the visit showed the couple being anointed by the bishop, who also showered them with prayers .

OYEDEPO’S DECLARATION OF NEUTRALITY

The visit drew significant attention due to remarks credited to Bishop Oyedepo, who used the occasion to reinforce his long-standing posture of non-partisanship ahead of the competitive 2027 governorship race in Ogun State.

The cleric was quoted as saying: “I have never campaigned for anybody or spoken on anybody’s behalf, and I will not do that till I go to heaven. I don’t belong to any political party; there’s no political party in this country that doesn’t come to me for prayers”.

The statement, made in direct response to the visit, served as a clear signal that while the church welcomes political leaders, it does not endorse candidates or parties.

Oyedepo has long maintained a public posture of political neutrality, and his remarks on Friday reinforced that position .

THE ARK TOUR

As part of the visit, Senator Adeola and his wife toured the ongoing construction of The Ark, a magnificent worship centre designed to accommodate over 100,000 worshippers at a time.

Adeola expressed admiration for the scale, architectural design and engineering of the project, describing it as “an architectural masterpiece” and a demonstration of what could be achieved through visionary leadership, faith and commitment to excellence.

“We were particularly impressed by the sheer magnitude of the project, its breathtaking architectural design, sophisticated engineering and the extraordinary vision behind its conception,” he said.

He commended Oyedepo for his vision and sacrifices towards the project, adding that the facility could further strengthen Ogun State’s position as a destination for religious tourism and spiritual activities .

THE POLITICAL CONTEXT

The visit comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State.Senator Adeola, who represents Ogun West Senatorial District, is the APC’s flagbearer for the governorship race .

His visit to Oyedepo is part of broader consultations with key stakeholders, including religious leaders, ahead of the election.

Oyedepo’s Canaanland is a significant religious and political touchpoint in Ogun State. The cleric’s prayers and blessings are sought by political leaders across party lines, a fact he acknowledged in his remarks about all parties coming to him for prayers .

WHY IT MATTERS

The encounter between Oyedepo and Adeola is politically significant for what it says and what it does not say.

What it says: Adeola is seeking the blessing of one of Nigeria’s most influential religious figures ahead of the 2027 election. The photographs of the anointing and prayers project an image of divine endorsement, even if Oyedepo explicitly denies partisan backing.

What it does not say: Oyedepo’s declaration of neutrality is a reminder that religious leaders in Nigeria walk a delicate line. They are expected to pray for leaders and offer counsel, but they are also expected to remain above the fray of partisan politics.

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Oyedepo’s statement was a preemptive clarification, ensuring that his prayers for Adeola would not be interpreted as an endorsement.

For Adeola, the visit is a valuable political asset.

For Oyedepo, it is a reaffirmation of his spiritual authority over the political class.

For the people of Ogun State, it is a reminder that the 2027 election is already underway, with candidates seeking every advantage they can find.

ValidViewNetwork reports that Senator Adeola has visited Bishop Oyedepo at Canaanland. The cleric has declared his political neutrality.