The Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 presidential election.

The endorsement was announced on Wednesday during the CBCN’s 2026 synod in Abuja, attended by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.

Representatives of the conference from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones asked Leonard Kawas, the CBCN president-general, to announce the group’s position.

Kawas said the CBCN has members in 52 countries and 950 “canonical” bishops in Nigeria.

He recalled that the group had expressed concerns ahead of the 2023 presidential election over the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), but said Tinubu’s appointments after taking office changed the group’s perception of his administration.

According to Kawas, the appointment of Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation was significant to Christian leaders who had been concerned about representation in government.

He also cited the appointment of Nyesom Wike, a Christian, as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as another decision that influenced the group’s position.

“Mr President, when we have sat back and examined the way you balanced the religious imbalance that has existed for long,” Kawas said. “President Bola Tinubu came and balanced our diversity so very well. There is no iota of nepotism.”

Kawas also mentioned the appointment of Nentawe Yilwatda as national chairman of the APC and the president’s reported support for Christian candidates in governorship elections as factors behind the conference’s endorsement.

He said the bishops would support Tinubu through prayers and advocacy, particularly for policies they believe would benefit the country.

“We are here today to reassure him of our solid support,” Kawas said. “We are standing with him in prayers and advocacy for the good programmes he has brought forth for the liberation of Nigeria.”

He added that the conference would continue to support Tinubu if he seeks another term in 2027.

“So, it is safe to say that this house has endorsed him for the 2027 presidency. Let him go ahead,” Kawas said.