Charismatic Bishops Ask Tinubu to Release Nnamdi Kanu
ABUJA — The Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The bishops made the appeal to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, during the 2026 Synod of the CBCN in Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of the South-East, Archbishop Robert Imoh asked Akume to intervene and appeal to Tinubu over Kanu’s continued detention.
Imoh, while expressing support for the Tinubu administration, made an emotional plea for the President to release the IPOB leader.
“With all my heart, I want to say that this great government of Nigeria, under President Tinubu, is doing marvellously well. And I want to humbly request, sir, this is from the South-East, with my knees on the ground, that you beg our dear President that Nnamdi Kanu be released,” he said.
The appeal came as representatives of different geopolitical zones gave Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas, President-General of the CBCN, a mandate to speak on their behalf.
The bishops also expressed their positions on Nigeria’s political and socio-economic situation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Kawas subsequently declared that he would speak on issues affecting the country after receiving the mandate from the representatives.
The CBCN leader said the organisation had more than 950 consecrated and installed canonical bishops in Nigeria, with a presence in 51 countries.
The conference also expressed support for the Tinubu administration and commended some of its policies.
Minister warns against politicising insecurity
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, urged religious leaders to promote peace, responsible citizenship and national unity as Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections.
Idris said Nigerians had the right to support political parties and candidates of their choice regardless of religious affiliation.
He, however, warned against allowing political competition to take on religious or ethnic dimensions.
The minister said Nigeria’s security challenges should not be portrayed as a religious war, stressing that terrorist and criminal groups had attacked Nigerians across religious and ethnic lines.
Idris also highlighted measures taken by the Federal Government to tackle insecurity, including improved intelligence gathering, inter-agency cooperation and military operations.
Bishops support Tinubu ahead of 2027
The appeal for Kanu’s release came alongside the CBCN’s broader support for Tinubu.
In a separate declaration at the synod, Archbishop Kawas said the bishops would continue to support the President through prayers and advocacy.
The CBCN subsequently endorsed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, saying it would continue to stand with him as long as he remained willing to seek the presidency.
The bishops’ position comes as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
