Idowu-Fearon Urges Religious Leaders Not To Endorse Political Candidates

The immediate Past Secretary General of the Anglican Communion Worldwide, Bishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon, has cautioned Christians and Muslims against turning religious population figures into a political contest.

Idowu-Fearon, who said Nigerians are suffering, also cautioned religious leaders against endorsing political candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Idowu-Fearon, former Chairman of the Kaduna State Peace Commission, said clerics and traditional rulers should encourage Nigerians to vote but allow them to make independent choices at the polls.

Addressing journalists in Kaduna on Monday, Idowu-Fearon appealed to traditional and religious leaders to enlighten their followers on the records, character, and policies of candidates rather than directing them on whom to support.

According to the Bishop, “It is wrong for any religious leader to say, ‘You should vote for this person.'”

“For this 2027 election, with all we are going through, every vote, God is going to ask you, ‘How did you use your franchise?'” he said.

“Nigeria, honestly, this country does not need a Muslim or a Christian president. What we need is a president who is Christian or Muslim. There is a difference,” he said.

“We don’t need card-carrying religious leaders. We want religious leaders who will take their faith with them,” he said.

The bishop also faulted attempts to downplay the economic hardship confronting Nigerians, stressing that rising prices and declining purchasing power were affecting ordinary citizens.

“To say people are not suffering as a result of what is going on in our country, I think we are being economical with the truth,” Idowu-Fearon said.