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A Catholic priest has come under public scrutiny after a video emerged showing him leading his congregation in a chant in support of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, ahead of the 2027 polls.
The footage, which is currently in circulation on X, captured the priest urging worshippers to join him in a song composed in the Igbo language, where he projected the NDC as a more preferable political choice.
In the clip, the clergyman was heard singing, “Party Peter Obi ka mma; Party Kwankwaso, ka mma!” meaning in English, “Peter Obi’s party is better; Kwankwaso’s party is better,” in reference to Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The video has since triggered conversations online, with many Nigerians questioning the increasing participation of faith leaders in partisan endorsements as the next general elections draw closer.
The incident adds to a growing list of politically charged statements from religious figures in recent months.
It would be recalled that in August, prominent Islamic scholar, Sani Jingir, called on Muslim faithful to support a Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027.
Jingir made the appeal while speaking at a mass wedding ceremony organized by the Kano State Government for 1,500 couples, where he charged Muslims to vote in a way that reflects their population strength.
His position was publicly criticized by Kwankwaso in a reaction posted on X.
At present, both President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima are Muslims, occupying the top two executive seats in the country, although the country has long maintained an unwritten practice of balancing presidential tickets on religious grounds, typically pairing a Muslim candidate with a Christian deputy.
In a related development, President Tinubu has received the backing of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, for a second term.
The group declared its support during its 2026 synod held in Abuja, an event that had in attendance the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
According to reports, delegates from the six geopolitical zones authorized the President-General of the Conference, Leonard Kawas, to make the declaration.
Kawas disclosed that the CBCN has presence in 52 countries, with about 950 canonical bishops in Nigeria alone.
He noted that the Conference was among the religious bodies that raised concerns about the Muslim-Muslim ticket fielded by the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2023 presidential election.
He however said the President has since changed their perception by appointing Christians into strategic positions in his government, showing capacity to manage the nation’s diversity.
“We are here today to reassure him of our solid support. We are standing with him in prayers and advocacy for the good programmes he has brought forth for the liberation of Nigeria,” Kawas stated.
“We stand with the president today, and as long as he is willing to be our president and even come in 2027, we will still be standing with him.”
