The Religious Leaders Selected by APC to Mobilise Support for Tinubu’s 2027 Re-election Bid
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has commenced strategic mobilizations for the 2027 presidential election by appointing influential Christian and Islamic leaders to its campaign council.
In the 2027 Presidential Campaign Council list released on Saturday, the ruling party named top clerics as faith-based mobilizers to build support for President Bola Tinubu’s reelection bid.
Key Christian Leaders Appointed to Campaign Council
Among the high-profile appointments is ArchBishop John Praise Daniel, the presiding bishop of Dominion Chapel International Church. He is the National Vice President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and serves as Chairman of the Pentecostal Bishops Forum for the 19 Northern States and the FCT.
His inclusion seems strategic for the northern Christian voting bloc.
Another central figure is Reverend Stephen Tunde Adegbite, a seasoned theologian and the current Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC). He is the former presiding Bishop of the Methodist Diocese of Ikeja and current Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Reverend Adegbite enjoys strong connections to the presidency, serving as the Aso Rock Chaplain.
Supporting the Christian faith mobilization sub-committee, Gloria Akobundu and Ibrahim Bunu have been designated to serve as secretaries.
Prominent Islamic Scholars Enlisted by APC
To drive support within the Muslim community, the APC enlisted four prominent Islamic clerics as faith-based mobilizers. They are Sheikh Halliru Maraya (Director, Muslim Faith-Based Mobilization). The Kaduna-based scholar is widely recognized for promoting interfaith peace and religious tolerance in Northern Nigeria. He has served on both the Kaduna State and National Ulamah Hajj Committees.
Also listed as deputy director of faith-based mobilisation is Sheikh Abu Ammar (Mallam Aminu Usman). He is a Katsina-based cleric famous for his fiery sermons on social justice and political accountability. Known as a fearless critic of government policies, his inclusion brings significant grassroots credibility.
Others are Sheikh Rilwan Aderemi Zogloo and Sheikh Muhammad Gumel.
By blending structural religious leaders with outspoken grassroots clerics, the APC aims to navigate Nigeria’s complex faith-based political landscape ahead of 2027.
