Leonard Kawas, president-general of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), has defended his decision to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, saying he has a long history of engaging in Nigerian politics.
Kawas came under criticism following the group’s endorsement of Tinubu, with some Nigerians questioning his credentials as a bishop.
Speaking on Arise News, he said he had spent 25 years in the clergy and had previously supported several political leaders without being accused of being a fake bishop.
Kawas said he had campaigned for former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former President Goodluck Jonathan and Peter Obi at different times.
He recalled supporting Obi at the early stage of the former Anambra governor’s presidential ambition, saying he travelled across the country with him and even paid the transportation costs of six clergymen who joined the campaign.
“I supported Peter Obi at the initial stage of his presidential ambition. I went with him everywhere in Nigeria. And he never gave me one dollar, one naira,” he said.
Kawas also recalled his involvement in Jonathan’s political journey, saying he supported him from his days as deputy governor of Bayelsa State and later served on his presidential campaign council.
He said he had also supported Jolly Nyame, former governor of Taraba State, and was subsequently appointed chairman of the state’s Christian Welfare Board.
According to Kawas, his political involvement should therefore not be interpreted as evidence that his religious credentials are questionable simply because he has now chosen to support Tinubu.
“Is it now, because I have prayed and God has led me to support Bola Tinubu, that I suddenly become fake?” he asked.
Kawas said his decision to support different political leaders over the years had been based on his convictions at particular periods, rather than financial inducement.
He maintained that his current support for Tinubu was similarly a product of his conviction and religious guidance.