The Presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, popularly known as Winners Chapel, David Oyedepo, has reiterated that politics does not align with his divine calling, declaring that he would not venture into it even if offered $1bn.
He made the statement on Saturday while preaching a sermon titled “The Last Days Are Ordained the Groundbreaking Days of the Church of Christ” at the impartation service of the church’s annual Shiloh 2025 convention.
The six-day programme, holding at Canaanland in Ota, Ogun State, is themed “Breaking New Grounds.”
Speaking before thousands of worshippers, Oyedepo explained that although the Church has a mandate to rule, such authority should not be interpreted as a quest for political power or elective office.
“The idea of ‘ruling’ ascribed to the Church should not be mistaken for holding political office,” he said, stressing that leadership and influence cut across business, enterprise and other areas of human endeavour.
He noted that many members of the church were already exercising authority by running successful organisations and employing large numbers of people, adding that impact was not limited to occupying positions such as local government chairman or other political offices.
Oyedepo further stated that economic empowerment plays a crucial role in societal influence, explaining that God is prospering believers so they can take leading positions in their chosen professions and fields.
“Jesus will not come until the church is ruling in the midst of its enemies. I don’t want politicians to be jittery—we are not talking about political leadership; that is inclusive, but ruling. At my small level, I have the privilege of a president welcoming me to his nation at the port. If you give me a billion dollars, I won’t move near politics. It is off my calling.
“I’m not in politics, and I have never been in politics, but I’m ruling now, am I not? Are there no businessmen in this church who are ruling with thousands of labourers or workforce working for them? That is ruling. It is not that you are a local government chairman then you are ruling—that is not what we are talking about.
“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender, so God is enriching the church for enthronement in their various areas of engagement,” he said.
The cleric acknowledged that while some people are genuinely called to participate in politics and would succeed there, others who venture into it without such a calling risk losing their dignity and public esteem.
“There are those who are called in there, He will decorate them there. There are those who are not called there—they will lose their dignity and respect because they dabbled in there,” he added.
Oyedepo also addressed criticisms and media reports about him, noting that he deliberately avoids responding to them in order to conserve his energy for more productive pursuits.
“The energy I need to reply to you is the same energy I need to make progress,” he said, adding that he prefers to focus his strength on positive growth rather than engaging in public disputes.
