President Bola Tinubu has urged Christian leaders to use their pulpits to promote peace and responsible participation ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning against messages capable of encouraging violence or deepening religious and ethnic divisions.
Tinubu made the call on Wednesday in Abuja while addressing the 2026 International Synod of Charismatic Archbishops, Bishops and Apostles at the National Christian Centre.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, the President said religious leaders had an important role to play in strengthening peace, national unity and democratic participation.
He urged the bishops to speak against practices capable of undermining the electoral process, including vote buying, hate speech and the use of ethnicity or religion as political weapons.
Tinubu also called on religious leaders to demand issue-based campaigns and caution politicians against placing personal ambitions above the peace and interests of the country.
He particularly warned against using the pulpit to promote inflammatory messages during the election period.
The President said political contests were temporary, stressing that Nigeria would remain after the elections. He therefore urged the Church to encourage peaceful participation and contribute to efforts aimed at protecting the country’s democratic progress.
Tinubu also acknowledged the difficulties Nigerians had faced as a result of ongoing economic reforms, assuring citizens that the Federal Government remained committed to improving household incomes, reducing hardship and ensuring that the benefits of its policies reached more Nigerians.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, urged religious leaders to use their influence to discourage young people from radicalisation and criminal activities.
Idris said religious institutions should support community early-warning systems, dialogue and other initiatives aimed at preventing violence.
According to him, preserving Nigeria’s unity requires responsible leadership from all sections of society, including religious leaders.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to religious freedom, stressing that Christians, Muslims and followers of other faiths should be able to worship and live peacefully without discrimination.
The minister warned against allowing the 2027 election to create divisions along religious, ethnic or regional lines, stressing that Nigeria belongs to all citizens.
At the event, the President-General of the Christian body, Archbishop Prof. Leonard Bature Kawas, announced the group’s support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Kawas said the Church had reviewed the administration’s record and would continue to support the President through prayers, advocacy and public engagement.
He said the group’s support was based on what it described as the administration’s efforts toward national development and inclusivity.
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