Human rights activist and lawyer Deji Adeyanju has publicly condemned the endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by a group of "charismatic bishops" ahead of Nigeria's 2027 general elections, calling the move an "unfortunate development" that threatens the integrity of religious institutions. In a statement issued on Thursday, September 10, 2026, Adeyanju argued that churches and mosques must never be converted into campaign platforms for politicians, asserting that such endorsements undermine the moral authority and societal role of faith-based organisations.
Religious Leaders Urged to Protect Sanctity of Worship Spaces
Adeyanju, a former member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stressed that religious leaders have a constitutional right to engage in politics, but drew a clear distinction between personal political participation and institutional endorsement. He insisted that any clergy member wishing to support a candidate or party should do so strictly in a private capacity, not from the pulpit or the mosque.
"The elections will come and go, but churches and mosques will remain," Adeyanju said, emphasising that places of worship are permanent community fixtures and must not be reduced to campaign grounds for any political figure. His remarks come amid growing public debate over the involvement of religious authorities in electoral politics, a trend that civil society voices have long warned against given the significant influence faith leaders wield over millions of Nigerians.
Backlash Intensifies as 2027 Elections Approach
The condemnation adds to mounting criticism of the bishops' public backing of President Tinubu, which had already attracted attention before Adeyanju's statement gave the controversy a sharper edge. With Nigeria moving closer to the 2027 elections, political activity among both secular and religious groups is expected to intensify, making the neutrality of religious institutions a key point of contention.
Adeyanju's position reflects longstanding concerns among civil society about the entanglement of religious authority and electoral politics. He argued that endorsements from religious platforms compromise the sanctity of worship spaces and set a dangerous precedent for future elections, potentially polarising congregations along partisan lines.
In a related development, President Tinubu has appointed Ade Omole as deputy director of Diaspora Mobilisation I for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, signalling the ruling party's early moves to build its machinery for the 2027 presidential election. Omole, an ICT executive, legal professional and public affairs strategist, is a prominent figure in Nigeria's diaspora engagement and serves as chairman of the Nigeria Diaspora Voting Council (NDVC).
