The Anglican Bishop of Lokoja, the Rt Rev George Bako, says any ordained priest in the diocese eyeing any political office must choose between politics and his priestly calling.
"No priest should be involved in partisan politics," he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lokoja.
"I have told my priests that we are not opposed to their going into politics, but they must first resign from the priesthood," he said.
"Once you resign for partisan politics, we will not take you back, but you will still remain a member of the Anglican Communion.
"It is true that God may give a priest that rare talent of being able to govern and administer, but I believe that to the extent to which spiritual matters are different from temporal matters, the priest should not get involved in politics."
Bako, a former director-general of the FRCN, said that as a priest, one had a calling that was both sacrificial and non-remunerative, adding that priests merely received stipends and not salaries.
"By receiving stipends, it means you are sacrificing something and not getting what you were supposed to earn because it is a calling. Since it is a calling, your reward is with God," he explained.
He said the moment a priest became involved in partisan politics, the tendency would be to "change his mentality and get the measure for your job, if possible, so much more, and then money now becomes an important factor".
Bako said: "Although a priest is supposed to be a shepherd, he should be interested in knowing what is happening around him to enable him preach sermons to all, including politicians and people in government."
He said the problem with priests getting involved in politics was that they usually became blinded, "essentially because they have already left reality and got associated with a political party which has its own constitution, mannerism and objectives.
He added that the interest of the party might be different from those of the other parties to which numerous members of their flock belonged.
"A shepherd is supposed to be a father to all, have the confidence of his congregation and the respect of his congregation.
"He should be seen to be impartial to all, ensuring justice and fairness. Therefore, the priest must steer clear of partisan politics," Bako admonished.