President Bola Tinubu has urged Christian leaders to use their influence to promote peaceful elections in 2027, warning against turning the pulpit into a platform for violence, hate speech and political division.
Calls for responsible electoral participation
Representing Tinubu at the event, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, urged the Church to take a stronger role in peacebuilding and national security by helping to bridge denominational and religious differences.
The President made the call on Wednesday in Abuja during the 2026 International Synod of Charismatic Archbishops, Bishops and Apostles, held at the National Christian Centre.
According to the President, political contests are temporary, while Nigeria will remain beyond the elections, making national unity and peace more important than political ambitions.
“As charismatic bishops and fathers of faith, you have a decisive role to play in helping to ensure that Nigeria does not lose. I urge you, therefore, to encourage peaceful and consensual participation in the election.
“Your voices should be raised against anti-democratic practices, such as vote buying, hate speech and the weaponisation of ethnicity or religion.
“Furthermore, to uphold the enviable level of uninterrupted democratic governance, you should demand issue-based campaigns and caution political actors whose ambition must never be placed above national peace and interest.
“This charge would, however, be incomplete if I do not admonish you to please refrain from turning the pulpit into an instrument of incitement instead of the sanctuary of conscience. An election is a contest for profits,” he said.
Meanwhile, the President acknowledged the sacrifices Nigerians have made amid the ongoing economic reforms, assuring citizens that the Federal Government remained committed to improving household incomes and reducing hardship.
He also reaffirmed the government’s focus on ensuring that the benefits of the reforms are increasingly felt across the country.
“We commend our citizens for their patriotism and resilience, and assure them that it will never be in vain, as promised,” he said.
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