The Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in 2027, pledging to continue supporting him “even beyond 2027”.
The endorsement was announced by the President-General of the conference, Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas, during the CBCN’s 2026 synod in Abuja on Wednesday.
Archbishop Kawas said the decision followed the group’s assessment of the Tinubu administration, particularly its appointments and what he described as efforts to promote religious inclusion.
He argued that despite President Tinubu’s decision to run on a Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 presidential election, his administration had not demonstrated nepotism in its appointments.
The cleric pointed to the appointment of Christians to key positions in government, including Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, as evidence of what he described as a more inclusive approach.
“He has stood with Christianity alongside his wife,” Archbishop Kawas said, while also commending the All Progressives Congress (APC) for choosing a Christian preacher as its national leader.
The bishops said their support for the president would extend beyond political endorsement, with prayers and advocacy for policies they believe would contribute to Nigeria’s development.
“We are here today to reassure him of our solid support; we are standing with him in prayers and advocacy,” Kawas said.
He added: “We stand with the president today, and as long as he is willing to be our president and even come in 2027, we will still be standing with him.”
The CBCN also appealed to the Federal Government to give religious leaders, both Christians and Muslims, greater consideration in political appointments.
The synod was attended by senior government officials, including Mr Akume and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
The endorsement comes as political activity ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election gathers momentum, with various political, religious and civil society groups beginning to take positions on the contest.
President Tinubu, who was represented at the event by Mr Akume, urged religious leaders to play a greater role in promoting peace, national unity and security as the country approaches the next election cycle.
He called on religious institutions to discourage hate speech, political violence, ethnic division and extremist recruitment, while encouraging issue-based political campaigns.
The president also urged faith leaders to strengthen cooperation with government and communities in areas including youth empowerment, education, peace-building and humanitarian support.
The CBCN’s endorsement adds to the growing political support being declared for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election, although the election remains more than a year away. (Vanguard News)
