NEWS
“I Supported Peter Obi in 2023 and He Never Gave Me a Dime, Not Even for Transportation“ — Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas
The President General of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas, has explained his decision to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, recalling his experience campaigning for the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Kawas said he extensively supported Obi during the 2023 presidential campaign and travelled across different parts of Nigeria to attend campaign activities without receiving financial assistance from the former Anambra State governor.
According to the cleric, his support for Obi was based on his personal conviction at the time, adding that he personally covered the transportation expenses of other clergymen who accompanied him to campaign grounds.
“I went with him everywhere in Nigeria and he never gave me N1, neither did he ever ask me one day how I came to the campaign grounds. He will just see me at the campaign, we pray for him, I will pay the transportation of six clergymen we will come there and support him. He never asked how I got there or what hotel I’m lodged at, yet I did it and nobody called me a fake. Now that God has led me to campaign for Tinubu, I have now become fake?“ he stated.
Kawas’ remarks come amid renewed political debate over the role of Christian leaders and clerics in Nigeria’s electoral politics, particularly following his recent public endorsement of President Tinubu’s bid for another term in office.
The Archbishop had earlier dismissed questions surrounding his credibility as a cleric and declared support for Tinubu, insisting that his position was based on his assessment of the President’s administration and its impact on the country.
Recall that some days back he endorsed President Tinubu re-election saying “We are the real Bishops! Onaiyekan is wrong Tinubu has done us well in Nigeria.“
His latest comments have since added another dimension to the growing political conversation, with the cleric drawing attention to his previous support for Obi and arguing that his decision to back Tinubu should not automatically make his earlier political activities or religious identity a subject of ridicule.
The development comes as political alignments ahead of the 2027 presidential election continue to generate intense debate across Nigeria, with prominent religious figures, political actors and civil society voices increasingly declaring their preferred candidate
s and positions.