Published by Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has penned a heartfelt tribute to the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, describing the octogenarian cleric as a “faithful father in the faith” whose life has left an indelible mark on generations across the world. The former Anambra State governor issued the statement on Saturday, June 6, 2026, to mark Kumuyi’s 85th birthday.
In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle late Saturday, Obi extolled Kumuyi’s decades of service and moral clarity, writing: “For decades, you have exemplified integrity, humility, discipline, and unwavering commitment to the Gospel. Through your teachings, leadership, and personal example, you have inspired and transformed countless lives across generations and nations.”
Obi, who leads the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) into the January 2027 presidential election, offered prayers for the cleric’s continued vitality. “As you mark this milestone, I pray that Almighty God grants you continued good health, renewed strength, and greater wisdom to keep impacting lives and advancing His Kingdom,” the statement read. “Happy 85th Birthday, Papa Kumuyi. May your light continue to shine brightly,” Obi concluded.
President Bola Tinubu similarly celebrated Kumuyi, with his spokesman Bayo Onanuga issuing a statement on Saturday describing the cleric as a “remarkable man of God” whose unwavering faith has shaped one of the country’s most influential Christian ministries for over five decades. “Your ministry and influence have transformed lives, restored families, inspired leaders, and strengthened the faith of generations of believers,” Tinubu said, praying for the cleric’s continued strength, divine health, peace, and abundant grace.
Born on June 6, 1941, in Erin‑Ijesha, Osun State, William Folorunso Kumuyi began the Deeper Life Bible Church in 1973 as a small campus fellowship at the University of Lagos, where he was a mathematics lecturer. The ministry has since grown into one of the largest Pentecostal denominations in Africa, with congregations in more than 150 countries.
Obi’s tribute, notable for its warm and respectful tone, comes after the two figures have occasionally found themselves on different sides of the political aisle. In August 2023, Kumuyi urged Nigerians to support President Tinubu’s administration, calling on citizens to “stop criticising every step of government officials.” Obi, then the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, did not publicly criticise the cleric’s remarks. Political observers note that while Obi and Kumuyi may diverge on policy, their public exchange remains firmly within the boundaries of mutual respect.
Beyond the political surface, the tribute carries a character that Obi’s supporters see as distinct: warmth that reaches across divides, and a refusal to treat disagreement as enmity. Whether that approach will translate into electoral success in 2027 is a question for another day. For one evening in June, the nation’s political players were united, for a rare moment, in simply saying: Happy birthday, Papa.
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