Soca artiste and community activist Orlando Octave is urging more people of faith to enter politics, arguing that the nation’s future depends on leaders guided by strong moral principles rather than personal ambition.
Speaking during an interview on the Talks with KG podcast, Octave challenged the long-held belief that religion and politics should remain separate. He said many of Trinidad and Tobago’s problems persist because principled individuals choose to stay away from public office.
“We need to be in politics,” Octave said. “The people who have a heart for people, those are the people who need to be in politics because you’ll be more honest. You’ll be more willing to see development and not just fill your pockets.”
Octave argued that people with strong religious convictions should see public service as an extension of their values. “We need God-fearing people in politics who know that if I go and thief $100 million, nobody might see, but I fear a Creator,” he said.
Throughout the discussion, Octave referenced biblical examples, citing Joseph and Daniel as individuals who served in government while remaining faithful to God. He described the Bible as a constitution containing principles for leadership, justice, and governance.
Octave also encouraged younger generations to become politically engaged, saying meaningful change will only happen when individuals motivated by service enter public life. “If the God-fearing people stay away from politics, then the ungodly people rule,” he warned.
