The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general elections, Peter Obi, has issued a stern warning to political opponents, urging them to immediately cease pulling Pope Leo XIV and the Catholic Church into Nigeria’s partisan political arena. ​
The directive was contained in an official press statement released on Thursday, October 22, 2026, from the NDC Campaign Headquarters in Abuja by the party’s Chief Media Officer and Campaign Spokesperson, Dr. Yunusa Tanko. ​
Obi cautioned political actors against fabricating religious controversies and circulating artificial intelligence-generated media alleging fake papal endorsements or sacred blessings for electoral advantage. He stressed that sacred global institutions, including the Vatican, must remain respected and unpolluted by partisan political maneuvering. ​
According to Dr. Tanko, the 2027 presidential contest represents a critical crossroad for the country that must be contested strictly on substantive socio-economic issues rather than divisive religious sentiment. He noted that the electorate deserves a debate centered on practical solutions to elevate the nation out of widespread poverty, severe economic hardship, rampant insecurity, and systemic corruption. ​
Addressing reporters at the campaign headquarters, Dr. Tanko reiterated that the NDC’s platform remains firmly anchored on issue-based governance. The campaign’s primary agenda focuses on comprehensive economic stabilisation through enhanced national productivity, inflation control, and targeted support for small businesses, alongside deliberate policies aimed at youth empowerment, job creation, and digital skill acquisition.
Furthermore, Obi promised to prioritise national security and institutional integrity to ensure public safety across all geopolitical zones. ​The clarification follows a wave of doctored media and online attacks following public prayers Obi offered earlier in the month for Pope Leo XIV’s swift recovery from a surgical procedure.
Obi appealed to all political parties and their media teams to maintain decorum and respect sacred global religious bodies as the country prepares for the upcoming electoral cycle.
