An interfaith prayer session organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State ahead of the 2027 general elections has drawn mixed reactions, with some residents questioning whether the party should be focusing on governance instead.
The prayer session was held on September 8 at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium, Onikan, Lagos, with Muslim, Christian and traditional worshippers praying for President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and APC candidates.
The session also featured prayers for the party’s governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, and other candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking at the event, Sanwo-Olu said the party was seeking divine direction while also recognising the need to work towards electoral success.
“We are not taking anybody for granted. We have only asked God to give us direction. We will work, but we are also people of faith,” he reportedly said.
Hamzat said the party had entrusted its campaign and candidates to God, expressing confidence that the APC would emerge victorious.
“We are sure that we will be victorious because we have handed everything to God,” he said.
But some Lagos residents criticised the session, saying the APC should focus on governance and issues affecting citizens ahead of the election.
Angelina Francis told THE WHISTLER that the party should concentrate on delivering good governance rather than relying on prayers.
“It is not about praying, it is about doing the right thing,” she said.
“Prayer will not save them, what they need is to deliver good governance.”
Francis also complained about the condition of a road in her area, arguing that fixing it required government action rather than prayers.
Ruth Ibe linked the prayer session to what she described as the APC’s poor performance in government.
She said many Nigerians were unhappy with the party’s policies, which she blamed for contributing to hardship across the country.
“They know that they have not done well, hence, the reason they’re already praying nearly four months before the election,” she said.
Ibe said the party should use the period to highlight its achievements and convince voters rather than focus primarily on prayers.
“Prayer is not bad, because we need God in everything we do, but the APC should begin their campaign by telling the people their achievements. That’s what ultimately will help them to win, not just prayer,” she added.
An X user, Dear Lord (@azeezakeusolaa), also criticised the session, arguing that the party should prioritise campaign mobilisation and work.
However, APC member Ola Adebayo defended the decision to hold the prayer session, saying it reflected the party’s belief in God’s role in human affairs and provided an opportunity to seek forgiveness and guidance.
“It shows that we are God-conscious. And believe in God as the decider of man’s fate. We cannot do without him,” he told THE WHISTLER.
Adebayo, however, faulted the timing of the session, saying it should have been held closer to the 2027 general elections.
“For me, I think the party should have held the prayer a month to the general elections. It’s too early to have been held now,” he added.
Another X user, Daraaa (@I_be_dara), described the APC’s interfaith prayer session as significant.
“What Lagos APC did yesterday (September 8) with that prayer is profound and very much significant,” the user wrote.
