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Bishop Leonard Kawas has denied allegations that the Charismatic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria endorsed President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election because of money or the expectation of political appointments.
Speaking during an interview on Channels TV, Kawas said the group had not demanded financial inducement from Tinubu and insisted that its decision to support the President was based on its conviction that he was moving Nigeria in the right direction.
He recalled that the group supported Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election despite receiving no financial reward from the former Anambra State governor.
According to him, the absence of financial benefits did not stop him from travelling across the country to campaign for Obi.
“Those who are saying I switched to Tinubu because of money, if it was money, how come that Peter Obi did not give me money in Makodi?” he asked.
Kawas listed several places he visited during Obi’s campaign, including Taraba, Adamawa, Kaduna, Niger, Ilorin, Ibadan and other parts of the South-East and South-South.
He said the same principle informed the group’s current support for Tinubu.
“If we participate in politics and any blessing come from it, fine and good. But where the blessing does not come financially, it also doesn’t matter so long as we are convinced that that is the right candidate.”
He further stated:
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“We have not asked anybody for any money.”
Kawas also denied asking Tinubu for a political appointment, explaining that his earlier request had been for the government to empower religious leaders to help it reach Nigerians at the grassroots.
“I never said that. What I said was that the president should empower religious leaders. And I clearly said both Christian and Muslim.”
He explained that religious institutions often serve as the first point of contact for Nigerians facing difficulties because government officials are sometimes inaccessible to ordinary citizens.
“And so that if you really want to reach the grassroot, go through with the religious leaders, both Muslim and Christian.”
Kawas said his comments had been misrepresented as a request for an appointment or financial reward.
Asked whether the bishops would accept financial support if it was offered by the administration in the future, he said they would decide when the situation arose.
“When that time comes, we will pray about it. And whatever the Lord leads us to do is what we will do.”
