The President-General of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas, on Wednesday announced that the body has formally backed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office, signalling early religious support for the 2027 presidential election.
The declaration, delivered during the conference’s 2026 synod and later circulated in a widely viewed video, places the influential clerical group among the first organised blocs to publicly align with the incumbent leader ahead of the next electoral cycle.
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Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas said the endorsement followed what the conference described as a considered assessment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The cleric argued that the government had demonstrated a deliberate effort to maintain inclusivity in appointments, despite earlier public concerns surrounding the Muslim Muslim ticket that characterised the 2023 election.
“He did not only appoint at the national level; he also supported the emergence of Christian governors to be the majority in Nigeria. He has stood with Christianity alongside his wife,” Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas said.
The Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria also commended the ruling All Progressives Congress for appointing a Christian preacher as its national leader, describing the move as a notable shift in political representation within the party’s leadership structure.
The endorsement comes at a sensitive time in Nigeria’s political landscape, where debates around religion, governance and national unity remain prominent.
In the lead up to the 2023 general election, faith based considerations played a significant role in public discourse, with critics raising concerns about balance and representation in federal leadership.
By contrast, Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas framed the current administration as responsive and evolving, adding that the conference would sustain its support through what he described as prayers and advocacy.
“We are here today to reassure him of our solid support; we are standing with him in prayers and advocacy for the good programmes he has brought forth for the liberation of Nigeria,” he said.
The gathering also featured notable government officials, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, reflecting the growing intersection between religious institutions and state actors in shaping public sentiment.
Beyond the endorsement, Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas urged the Federal Government to broaden political inclusion by integrating religious leaders from both Christian and Muslim communities into governance structures.
The appeal highlights an ongoing conversation about representation and the role of moral authority in public office.
Political analysts note that early endorsements, particularly from influential faith based organisations, can carry symbolic weight, even if their direct electoral impact varies.
The move may also signal the beginning of broader coalition building efforts as Nigeria gradually approaches the 2027 polls.
While supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have welcomed the development as a powerful vote of confidence, critics are likely to scrutinise the blending of religious influence with partisan politics, especially in a diverse nation where such alignments often invite debate.
Also read: Minister urges clerics to avoid linking insecurity to religion ahead of 2027
As the political climate gradually intensifies, the endorsement underscores a key reality: alliances between faith and governance remain a defining feature of Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Ibrahim Onipede is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
