2027: Charismatic Bishops Back Tinubu for Second Term

The Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in 2027.

The bishops said his administration had shown greater balance in religious appointments and made progress in tackling insecurity.

The President-General of CBCN, Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas, announced the decision yesterday at the grand finale of the 2026 Synod of the CBCN and International Communion of Charismatic Archbishops, Bishops and Apostles (ICCABA) in Abuja.

Kawas recalled that Christian leaders had raised concerns over Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim ticket during the 2023 presidential election.

He said their concerns eased after the President appointed Christians to several key positions, including Senator George Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

According to Kawas, the appointments demonstrated greater religious balance under the present administration.

He also praised the government’s efforts to tackle insecurity and its collaboration with the United States.

Kawas said the bishops had earlier called for stronger international cooperation to confront terrorism and other security challenges.

He said the conference had resolved to support Tinubu beyond the current administration.

“We support him now. We support him today. We support him tomorrow,” Kawas said.

He added that the bishops would continue to stand with Tinubu for as long as he remained committed to leading the country.

“Even come 2027, we will still be standing with him,” he said. “It is safe to say that this house has endorsed him for 2027 president.”

Kawas also urged government to give religious leaders greater opportunities to contribute to national development.

He said Nigerians often turn to churches first when they face economic and social difficulties.

In his remarks, President Tinubu urged religious leaders to help ensure peaceful participation in the 2027 general elections.

The President, represented by the SGF, Senator George Akume, said Nigeria was passing through a difficult but important period of economic reform.

He said the reforms sought to correct longstanding weaknesses and create a more sustainable economy.

Tinubu acknowledged the hardship that followed the reforms, but promised that government would continue working towards better incomes, jobs, food security, infrastructure and healthcare.

He also cited the rescue of 308 abducted citizens from Kwara and Niger states in August as part of recent security gains.

The President said security agencies could not tackle the nation’s challenges alone.

He urged religious leaders to promote peace, social cohesion and early warning within their communities.

“Religious leaders occupy a very important intersection in the prevention and management of these issues,” he said.

Tinubu further asked the bishops to discourage extremist recruitment, hate speech, vote buying and the use of religion or ethnicity to inflame political tensions.

“Elections will come and go, but Nigeria must remain,” he said.

He urged religious leaders to demand issue-based campaigns and discourage politicians from placing personal ambitions above national interest.

“An election is a contest for office. It must never become a war for survival,” the President said.

Also speaking, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, urged religious leaders to protect national unity as the 2027 elections approach.

Idris reaffirmed the constitutional right of Nigerians to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

He warned against portraying terrorism and criminality as a religious war, noting that victims come from different faiths and communities.

The minister said the government had strengthened intelligence gathering, military operations and cooperation with international partners.

He cited military reports of about 1,000 terrorist elements eliminated in the North-East during the first quarter of 2026.

Idris also urged churches to contribute to national development through education, healthcare, skills training and humanitarian services.

He cautioned religious leaders against misinformation and inflammatory statements that could heighten tension.

According to him, their influence could either calm communities or aggravate existing divisions.

Idris urged Nigerians to examine the records and programmes of candidates before voting in 2027.

He also called for acceptance of legitimate electoral outcomes, stressing that the future of Nigeria extends beyond individual elections and political parties.