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Nigeria President Tinubu Criticised by Catholic Bishops Over Election Integrity
Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, warned that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is "bent on winning" the 2027 general elections "by all means" and that even a free and fair vote might not count the people’s choices. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) presented concerns about the country’s economy and insecurity to Tinubu, who rejected the bishops’ assessment, insisting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remains neutral and that the economy is stabilising.
President Tinubu’s special adviser, Daniel Bwala, responded by saying Onaiyekan was speaking only for Catholics, not for all Christians, and that Catholics largely backed opposition candidate Peter Obi. Bwala characterised the cardinal’s comments as political rather than spiritual. Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged political appointees to resign if they cannot campaign for Tinubu in the 2027 elections, and the party’s war room is already planning campaign strategies, including hiring foreign consultants.
Entities
All Progressives Congress · Bola Ahmed Tinubu · Bola Tinubu · Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria · Daniel Bwala · Independent National Electoral Commission · John Cardinal Onaiyekan · Tinubu Mega Group · Uba Sani
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] President Tinubu declared the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is neutral. thevoicenewsmagazine.com · pmnewsnigeria.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] President Bola Tinubu's administration is determined to win the 2027 elections by all means. gwg.ng · 247ureports.com · thenews-chronicle.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The APC’s war room is preparing campaign strategies for the 2027 elections, including hiring foreign consultants. blueprint.ng
- [● 3 SOURCES] Even if elections are free and fair, the votes of the people may not count. gwg.ng · 247ureports.com · thenews-chronicle.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Daniel Bwala said Cardinal Onaiyekan was speaking only for Catholics, not for all Christians, and that Catholics largely backed Peter Obi. www.nigerianeye.com · pmnewsnigeria.com · punchng.com · dailytrust.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] President Tinubu said the Nigerian economy is stabilising and improving. thevoicenewsmagazine.com · pmnewsnigeria.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria presented concerns about Nigeria's economy and insecurity to President Tinubu, who rejected them. thevoicenewsmagazine.com · pmnewsnigeria.com · thenews-chronicle.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The All Progressives Congress warned political appointees to quit if they cannot campaign for Tinubu in the 2027 elections. dailytrust.com