Primate Elijah Ayodele, the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has criticised the Christian leaders who recently endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office.
The cleric described the decision as disappointing, alleging that the bishops who backed the President were motivated by personal interests.
Ayodele’s comments followed the endorsement of Tinubu by the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at its 2026 synod in Abuja.
The bishops, led by their President-General, Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas, declared their support for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, citing his appointments and what they described as efforts to maintain religious balance in government.
Kawas said the conference had initially expressed concerns over the Muslim-Muslim ticket that produced Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in 2023. However, he said the President’s subsequent appointments of Christians to strategic positions changed the group’s perception.
He specifically referenced the appointment of George Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Nyesom Wike as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, among others.
The CBCN President-General also said the bishops would continue supporting Tinubu through prayers and advocacy ahead of the 2027 election.
Reacting to the endorsement, Ayodele questioned the basis for the bishops’ support and accused them of placing personal considerations above the wider interests of Nigerians.
The cleric’s criticism adds another layer to the growing political debate surrounding Tinubu’s bid for another term, as religious, political and community leaders increasingly take positions ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The CBCN endorsement has already generated reactions across the political and religious space, particularly because the group represents a significant number of Christian leaders.
Meanwhile, Tinubu has urged religious leaders to use their influence to promote peace, discourage hate speech and support issue-based political campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections.
The President also warned against allowing political contests to deepen religious or ethnic divisions, stressing the importance of protecting Nigeria’s unity beyond electoral battles.
