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Bishop Leonard Kawas, President of the Charismatic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, has explained why the group endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking on Channels TV, Kawas said the decision was based on the issues currently affecting the country and what he described as the “leading of the spirit,” insisting that the group’s support was a matter of conviction.
He explained that the conference had supported different presidential candidates in previous elections, including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, as well as Peter Obi in 2023.
According to him, the group openly supported Obi during the 2023 election and participated in several of his campaign activities across the country.
He said the decision to support Tinubu in 2027 therefore should not be interpreted as evidence that the group had suddenly changed its principles.
“In 2023, I clearly, openly endorsed Peter Obi, and I supported him,” Kawas said.
Explaining the change in position, he added:
“But for 2027, based on the issues on ground right now and based on the leading of the spirit, I and my group, we are supporting President Bola Ame Tinubu because we believe he is on the right course.”
Kawas acknowledged that Tinubu had not solved every problem facing Nigeria but said he believed the administration was moving in the right direction.
“He may not have yet gotten everything 100 percent, but he is on the right course, and we believe that given another four years, he will definitely take Nigeria to a very high height in all ramifications.”
He also rejected suggestions that his group’s endorsement was unusual, noting that the bishops had openly supported political candidates in previous election cycles.
“We supported Peter Obi, open campaign,” he said, recounting how he travelled with the former Anambra State governor to several campaign locations in 2023.
Kawas said his group’s political choices were within its rights, stressing that his support for Tinubu was based on personal conviction rather than political convenience.
