Beware of Fake Prophecies: Learn from the 2023 General Election Ahead of 2027

By Emmanuel Kehinde, Ilorin

It has become a worrisome and recurring practice for some so-called men of God in Nigeria to demean their sacred calling by engaging in fake, baseless and politically motivated prophecies concerning the outcomes of general elections.

One cannot help but wonder where these self-acclaimed prophets obtain their revelations. During the build-up to the 2023 general election, many of them came out at different times, claiming that God had revealed to them that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu would never win the presidential election. Some even went as far as declaring that if Tinubu won, then there was no God.

Today, history has spoken: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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This development raises critical questions that deserve answers:

• Why do some Nigerians continue to mix religion with politics?
• Why have these individuals refused to learn from the past?
• Are these self-acclaimed prophets truly hearing from God?

Now, as Nigeria approaches another election cycle, some of these individuals appear to be at it again, making claims about what God has supposedly revealed to them and attributing messages to Him without verifiable evidence.

In view of this, I wish to call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to consider appropriate measures to address the spread of false and politically motivated election prophecies, while respecting the constitutional rights to freedom of religion and expression. Such measures should aim to prevent the abuse of religion for political purposes and protect innocent citizens from being misled in the name of faith.

Although freedom of speech is constitutionally guaranteed, it must be exercised responsibly and with due regard for the rights of others.

Only God Almighty knows what tomorrow holds. Unfortunately, the conduct of some self-acclaimed prophets has eroded the confidence many Nigerians once placed in their pronouncements. Rather than making sensational political predictions, religious leaders should focus on their sacred responsibilities of promoting peace, morality, unity and the spiritual well-being of their followers.

Today, Nigeria is grappling with serious security challenges, including kidnapping, killings and other threats to the safety of citizens. Yet, one may ask why some of these prophets who make bold claims about election outcomes rarely offer similarly specific warnings about the security challenges confronting the nation.

Many churches and mosques have reportedly been affected by insecurity, while worshippers have been kidnapped or killed. These tragedies raise questions about the credibility of those who claim to possess special revelations but appear more interested in making political predictions.

Why does their alleged gift of prophecy seem to attract so much attention during election periods?

As the 2027 general election approaches, Nigerians must learn from the experience of 2023. Citizens should not allow themselves to be manipulated by sensational prophecies, fear-inducing predictions or religious pronouncements designed to influence their political choices.

Religious leaders must understand that their words carry considerable influence and should not be used to mislead the public, inflame political tensions or undermine the credibility of the electoral process.

Nigerians must be wise, discerning and vigilant. Let us learn from the past and refuse to be deceived again.

DemocracyNewslineNewspaper October 12th, 2026