President Bola Tinubu has urged Christian leaders to promote peace and responsible participation ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning against using church pulpits to promote violence, hatred or division.
Tinubu made the call on Wednesday in Abuja at the 2026 International Synod of Charismatic Archbishops, Bishops and Apostles held at the National Christian Centre.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, the President asked religious leaders to support peaceful elections and speak out against practices capable of undermining democracy.
He specifically urged them to discourage vote buying, hate speech and the use of ethnic or religious sentiments for political purposes. Tinubu also called for issue-based campaigns, stressing that political ambitions should not take precedence over national peace and stability.
The President said the Church had an important role to play in peacebuilding, national security and promoting understanding across religious and denominational lines.
He also acknowledged the difficulties Nigerians have faced as a result of ongoing economic reforms, assuring citizens that the Federal Government remained committed to reducing hardship, improving household incomes and ensuring that the benefits of the reforms reach more Nigerians.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, urged religious leaders to help prevent young people from being drawn into radicalisation and criminal activities.
Idris said preserving Nigeria’s unity required responsible leadership from all sectors, including religious institutions, and called for dialogue and community-based efforts to prevent conflict.
However, the President-General of the Christian body, Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas, announced the group’s support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Kawas said the organisation had reviewed the administration’s record and would continue to support the President through prayers, advocacy and public engagement.