Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria has officially endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in the 2027 presidential election, declaring their unwavering support for his leadership and pledging to stand with him "even beyond 2027". The endorsement, announced by the President-General of the conference, Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas, during the organisation's 2026 synod on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, represents a significant political boost for the President as he prepares for the next electoral cycle.
Archbishop Kawas justified the endorsement by highlighting what he described as President Tinubu's commitment to religious inclusion, particularly his record on appointments. He argued that despite running on a Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 election, the President has not shown nepotism and has supported the emergence of Christian governors. "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," Kawas said. The Archbishop also commended the ruling All Progressives Congress for appointing a "born-again Christian and preacher of the gospel" as its national leader, a move he described as historic.
The CBCN president further stated that the bishops would continue to support Tinubu through prayers and advocacy for his development programmes. "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. He added that the group's support would extend beyond the 2027 election, declaring, "We stand with the president today, and as long as he's willing to be our president and even come in 2027, we will still be standing with him. On this, this house has endorsed him for the 2027 presidency".
The endorsement comes at a time when the President is consolidating support from various religious and political groups ahead of the 2027 elections. In a related development, 500 Islamic scholars, preachers, and clerics from the North had earlier endorsed Tinubu for a second term. However, the endorsement by the Charismatic Bishops has also drawn criticism from some quarters. Human rights activist Deji Adeyanju has condemned what he described as the renewed patronage of churches by politicians, specifically criticising governors who gathered clerics to endorse President Tinubu.
The endorsement also follows a recent meeting between President Tinubu and the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, where the bishops raised concerns about the Muslim-Muslim ticket and urged the President to address the "legitimate concerns" of Christians. While the Catholic Bishops have not issued an endorsement, the Charismatic Bishops have now taken a firm position in support of the President.
Dignitaries present at the synod included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris. Archbishop Kawas also urged the Federal Government to include religious leaders in political appointments, arguing that they should not be overlooked in the selection process. As the 2027 election season approaches, the endorsement by the Charismatic Bishops Conference adds a significant religious dimension to the President's re-election campaign, raising questions about the role of faith-based organisations in Nigeria's political landscape.
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