Oyo State governor and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate [Seyi Makinde](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seyi_Makinde) told reporters on Saturday in Abuja that the most serious issue confronting Nigeria is widespread poverty, not religious division, as he accepted the Christian Icon of the Year award from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
He explained that the honour provides a platform to urge Christians nationwide to become more involved in politics, arguing that the belief that politics is a “dirty game” or conflicts with faith discourages many believers from contributing to the country’s development.
**Why should Christians engage in politics?**
Makinde cautioned that avoiding public office because of religious concerns deprives the nation of valuable moral perspectives. He urged believers to look to biblical figures who served in challenging environments as models for influencing society and advancing God’s work.
He added, “I will use this opportunity to encourage our Christian brothers and sisters across the country to rise and participate in the agenda to transform Nigeria and reset our country,” emphasizing that faith should not be a barrier to governance or to offering expertise for societal change.
Makinde reiterated that Nigeria’s most pressing problem is “grinding poverty,” affecting millions of citizens. He stressed that national discourse must centre on addressing economic hardship rather than allowing religious differences to dominate conversations.
In closing, the governor called for a collective effort to rebuild the nation, insisting that transformation requires participation from all Nigerians regardless of religion, political affiliation, or personal convictions.