The President-General of the Charismatic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas, has alleged that some individuals are sponsoring banditry, kidnapping and terrorism in the country to discredit President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Kawas made the allegation while defending the bishops’ recent endorsement of Tinubu for a second term in office during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Tuesday.
The cleric also dismissed suggestions that the endorsement was financially motivated, saying no money was given to the bishops in exchange for their support for the President.
“Today, this endorsement has not given us any one naira. No one naira has been given to us. We did it because, based on current happenings in our nation, the sabotage of people sponsoring banditry and sponsoring kidnapping and all these things just to give Tinubu a bad name,” he said.
Kawas compared the situation to the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, saying similar efforts were allegedly made at the time to portray the former President negatively.
He said the bishops believed insecurity in the country was being exploited by some individuals to frustrate and discredit Tinubu’s government.
“That is why we decided that since it is a proven fact and there are international intelligence on this that some people are sponsoring all this banditry and terrorism just to give Tinubu a bad name to frustrate his government and to blackmail him and blacklist him,” Kawas said.
According to him, the alleged plot influenced the bishops’ decision to back Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“That is why we say no. If that is the case, then it is Tinubu that we are going to support. So we are. We believe that we are being led to do so,” he added.
Kawas said financial considerations would not determine the bishops’ political endorsements, adding that they would support a candidate they believed was suitable regardless of whether they received any financial benefit.
“If we participate in politics, and any blessing comes from it, fine and good. But where the blessing does not come financially, it also doesn’t matter so long as we are convinced that that is the right candidate,” he said.
The cleric also cited the 2023 presidential election, recalling that the bishops supported Peter Obi despite his reported position that he would not give money to Nigerians.
“So, that is what happened as at the time when Peter Obi did not give any money to any Nigerian, he said he would give shishi, and that did not stop us,” Kawas said.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
What do you think about this?
Drop your opinion in the comment section.
FOLLOW US & Share this with someone who needs to see this.
