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

President-General of the conference, Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas, announced the endorsement on Wednesday while speaking at the organisation’s 2026 synod.

Kawas said the group’s decision was based on its assessment of Tinubu’s administration, arguing that the president had not shown nepotism in his appointments despite what he described as the Muslim-Muslim ticket under which he contested the 2023 election and is expected to seek re-election in 2027.

He said, “He did not only appoint at the national level; he also supported the emergence of Christian governors to be the majority in Nigeria. He has stood with Christanity alongside his wife.”

He also commended the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for appointing what he described as a born-again Christian and preacher of the gospel as its national leader.

“Also, for the first time, the ruling party appointed a born-again Christian and preacher of the gospel to be the national leader of the party.

Kawas said the bishops would continue to support Tinubu through prayers and advocacy for what he described as programmes aimed at the development of Nigeria.

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

“We stand with the president today, and as long as he’s willing to be our president and even come in 2027, we will still be standing with him.

“On this, this house has endorsed him for the 2027 presidency.”

The CBCN president also said Tinubu had responded to the group’s call to engage United States President Donald Trump over insecurity in Nigeria.

Kawas further urged the Federal Government to include religious leaders, both Christians and Muslims, in political appointments, arguing that they should not be overlooked in the selection process.

Dignitaries at the event included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.

Operatives of the Benue State Police Command have arrested 46 suspects in connection with the attack on the convoy of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, who announced this on Wednesday, said investigation is still ongoing as key leaders of the youths involved in the incident are being trailed.

He warned that the police in Benue State will not allow any act of political intolerance as the general election approaches.

The commissioner said the command would continue to take necessary steps to identify all those involved and ensure that anyone found culpable faces the law.

The development followed the blockade of Obi’s convoy on his way to Yelwata, where he was billed to meet and commiserate with victims of the June 2025 attacks.

Trouble started a few meters away from the airport when Obi’s convoy ran into a roadblock on the two-lane Makurdi-Gboko federal highway.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has attributed the growing spread of fake, adulterated and unsafe consumer products in Nigeria to Chinese syndicates operating within the country.

Speaking on the development, NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Martins Iluyomade, said intelligence reports revealed that counterfeit networks have shifted from importing fake products to establishing production and distribution operations inside Nigeria.

According to Iluyomade, the syndicates now identify fast-selling products, send samples to China for replication, and distribute counterfeit versions through logistics companies under their control.

“Before, to fake a product, you needed to go to China to bring it. Now, they are here with us. They identify moving products, send samples to China, and distribute them locally through logistics companies they own,” he said.

He disclosed that NAFDAC has begun shutting down illegal logistics facilities linked to the foreign-led counterfeit network.

The agency’s warning comes amid growing concerns over the circulation of substandard products, including fake cosmetics, adulterated toothpaste, contaminated bottled water, and unsafe dairy products.

NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said enforcement operations carried out in Lagos and the South-East led to the seizure and destruction of fake and substandard products worth more than N1.5 trillion.

She further revealed that between June 2025 and June 2026, the agency secured 64 convictions against counterfeiters the highest number recorded in its history.

The agency added that several suspects arrested in Kano, Sokoto, Delta, and Anambra states for allegedly importing and distributing counterfeit oral care products are currently facing prosecution in federal courts.