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.

Tension has engulfed the Odigbo Local Council Area of Ondo State following the death of 24 persons, mostly youths, from suspected poisoning linked to the consumption of sachet concoctions and locally brewed alcoholic drinks.

The deaths, which occurred across Odigbo and Araromi-Obu communities at the weekend , have prompted the local government to impose an immediate ban on the sale and consumption of locally produced alcoholic beverages with health officials scrambling to determine the exact cause of the fatalities.

Several other victims are currently receiving treatment in hospitals, with medical personnel working to stabilise those affected by the suspected poisoning.

Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, confirmed the incident and disclosed that investigations were underway to establish the actual cause of the deaths.

The commissioner, however, did not disclose the specific substance suspected to have caused the fatalities, stressing that medical and health officials were expected to conduct further assessments in the affected communities.

Ajaka said government was taking the matter seriously and would provide more details after the ongoing investigation had established the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Ayodele Adeji, revealed that early findings pointed to potential methanol contamination.

He, however, stressed that laboratory analysis of samples collected by the medical team was still ongoing, adding that further investigations would be required to establish whether there was any direct connection between the consumption of the locally brewed drinks and the reported deaths.

Also, the Chairman of Odigbo Local Government, Taiwo Adegoroye, stated that preliminary investigation conducted by the local government health team indicated a possible link between the reported deaths and the consumption of the substances.

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.