2027: Tinubu Warns Bishops Against Using Pulpits for Incitement

President Bola Tinubu has urged Christian leaders to promote peace, responsible participation and national unity ahead of the 2027 general election, warning against using the pulpit to fuel violence, hate speech or political division.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, at the 2026 International Synod of Charismatic Archbishops, Bishops and Apostles in Abuja, Tinubu said religious leaders had an important role in shaping public opinion and preventing tensions during the election period. He called for issue-based campaigns and urged the Church to speak against vote buying, hate speech and the exploitation of ethnic and religious sentiments.

The President stressed that political contests were temporary, while Nigeria would remain after the elections. He therefore appealed to Christian leaders to use their influence to promote peaceful participation, strengthen national unity and discourage political actors from placing personal ambitions above the country’s interests.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, similarly urged religious leaders to help steer young people away from radicalisation and criminality while promoting dialogue and peaceful coexistence. Meanwhile, President-General of the Christian body, Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas, declared the group’s support for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, saying the Church would continue to back his administration through prayers, advocacy and public engagement.