……Minister Urges Religious Leaders to Promote Peace
The Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has declared its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for a second term in the 2027 presidential election, pledging continued prayers, advocacy and support for his administration.
The declaration was made during the grand finale of the 2026 Synod of the CBCN and the International Communion of Charismatic Archbishops, Bishops and Apostles (ICCABA), held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.
The gathering brought together Christian leaders to deliberate on peace, national unity, religious freedom, security, good governance and the role of the church in national development.
President Tinubu was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who conveyed the President’s appreciation for the prayers and contributions of religious leaders to national development.
Akume said the administration’s economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and reforms in the foreign exchange system, were aimed at building a more productive and sustainable economy.
He acknowledged the hardship associated with the reforms but said the government remained committed to creating opportunities, improving household incomes, investing in infrastructure and strengthening social and human capital programmes.
The SGF also highlighted government’s efforts to tackle insecurity, including enhanced intelligence gathering, inter-agency cooperation and military operations.
He disclosed that more than 50,000 police personnel had been recruited and four additional Army divisions created to strengthen national security.
Akume urged religious leaders to intensify their role in peacebuilding and help young Nigerians resist extremist recruitment, political violence, hate speech and other forms of radicalisation.
As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, he called on the bishops to promote peaceful participation and speak against vote buying, hate speech and the weaponisation of ethnicity and religion.
“An election is a contest for office; it must never become a war for survival,” Akume said.
He urged political actors to focus on issues, policies and records, stressing that political ambition must not be placed above national peace and unity.
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, was represented at the event by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite.
Adegbite commended the bishops for their commitment to peace, unity and national development, while praising President Tinubu’s administration for what he described as efforts towards building a new Nigeria.
He also commended the First Lady for her support for the Christian community and commitment to prayer and national unity.
Adegbite praised Akume for his engagement with Christian leaders, describing the SGF as a defender of the faith who had provided support and encouragement to religious organisations.
He urged the bishops to continue praying for Nigeria and supporting initiatives aimed at promoting peace and development.
On the 2027 elections, Adegbite called for peaceful campaigns and voting, urging Nigerians to support candidates of their choice and respect legitimate electoral outcomes.
“Let people campaign. Let people vote for people of their own choice, and let the result be announced, and the winner be thrown,” he said.
