Two prominent Nigerian Pastors took part in events linked to the inauguration of US President Donald Trump on Monday.
The presence of Pastors William Kumuyi and Nathaniel Bassey highlighted the connection between Christian evangelicalism and the incoming US administration.
Trump could use his popularity among some religious Christians in Africa as a strategic means to enhance his influence beyond traditional diplomatic approaches.
READ ALSO: 24 states reject Trump’s order on birthright citizenship
Pastor Kumuyi received an invitation to Trump’s swearing-in ceremony but could not attend after the event was moved indoors due to adverse weather conditions.
Instead, he participated in a prayer service for the new president and held meetings with political groups.
His invitation to the inauguration was considered unconventional.
While Trump extended invitations to world leaders from nations such as China, Italy and Argentina, no African heads of state were included on the guest list.
Outside the formal schedule, renowned Nigerian gospel artist Nathaniel Bassey performed at the US Presidential Inaugural Prayer Breakfast on Monday morning.
The non-political, faith-based event, held before the swearing-in ceremony, was not part of the official festivities and the president-elect did not attend.
Who is William Kumuyi?
William Kumuyi, a former mathematics professor, is the founder of the Deeper Life Bible Church and the organizer of the Global Crusade with Kumuyi, a worldwide evangelistic ministry.
As stated by the Global Crusade, the church records 120,000 attendees weekly.
During his visit to Washington DC, Pastor Kumuyi shared on X that he met with congressmen from the conservative youth group Turning Point USA to discuss potential partnerships for global evangelism.
On Sunday, he offered a prayer at the Inauguration Praise & Prayer Convocation, an event hosted by US pastor Jim Garlow and Tony Perkins from the Family Research Council, a US evangelical organization.
Who is Nathaniel Bassey?
Nathaniel Bassey, a Nigerian gospel musician, pastor, trumpeter and music producer, hails from Akwa Ibom State in southern Nigeria.
He has gained global recognition through his music and the Hallelujah Challenge, a worship initiative on social media that has earned him almost four million Instagram followers.
Bassey started the Hallelujah Challenge in 2017 to unite Christians in worship and prayer globally.
Although he identifies as a pastor, he is primarily recognized as a gospel artist and serves as a youth pastor and music minister at the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Lagos, Nigeria.
At the Prayer Breakfast event, Pastor Bassey was the only African artist to perform in honor of Trump and Vance.
Why were they there?
In a statement from the Global Crusade ministry, Pastor Kumuyi explained that his participation in the inauguration-related events was to “celebrate a return to religious freedom in America and support efforts against religious persecution in other nations.”
Trump enjoys strong support among evangelical Christian voters in the US and has committed to upholding Christian values.
During his first term in 2019, Trump hosted the inaugural foreign ministers’ meeting focused on religious freedom. Additionally, a 2020 Executive Order declared global religious freedom as a US foreign policy priority.
Dion Forster, a professor of public theology at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, noted that both Trump and Pastor Kumuyi could benefit from the Nigerian cleric’s participation in the inauguration.
Professor Forster suggested that Pastor Kumuyi’s involvement enhances his status by associating with one of the most powerful leaders in the world.
On the other hand, Trump could use the pastor’s popularity to strengthen his influence on the African continent, Forster added.
“The genius – and I hate to use that word – of the Trump political machine is their ability to work outside the traditional political structures,” he said.
He explained that while former President Joe Biden might rely on diplomatic ties with ambassadors and senior business figures, Trump seeks influence by engaging with alternative power centers.
Caleb Okereke, founder and editor of Minority Africa, also believes that the involvement of influential religious figures like Pastors Kumuyi and Bassey could bolster Trump’s support in Africa.
Okereke noted that shared conservative political ideologies unite US conservatives and African evangelicals.
“There’s a merging of global conservative values and I think Pastor Kumuyi and Nathaniel Bassey represent a broader alignment between US politics and African politics,” he observed.
He added, “I see their involvement as part of a larger agenda, which includes opposition to LGBTQ+ rights.”
However, Okereke highlighted a “cognitive dissonance” regarding Trump’s appeal in Africa.
He recalled Trump’s controversial description of African nations as “shithole countries” and the travel ban during his first term, which affected several African states, including Nigeria.
“I’m amazed at how gender and sexuality issues seem to overshadow everything else,” Okereke concluded.
Reported by BBC
