According to a report by The Sun News, on Thursday, September 10, 2026, former Secretary General of the worldwide Anglican Communion and Founder and Director of the Kaduna Centre for the Study of Christian Muslim Relations, Bishop Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon, warned Nigerian politicians and religious leaders against relying on religious blocs as a strategy for winning elections.
Speaking ahead of the 2027 general elections, the respected cleric maintained that no serious political candidate can secure the presidency by depending solely on votes from either Christians or Muslims.
He stressed that Nigeria’s religious diversity makes it necessary for political leaders to seek support across religious lines rather than build their campaigns around one faith.
Idowu-Fearon specifically addressed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, saying that neither politician could achieve electoral success without receiving votes from Christian communities.
According to him, the realities of Nigeria’s political system make cooperation between the two major religious groups essential for anyone seeking national political power.
The bishop explained that his position was based on the voting strength and religious composition of the country.
He argued that even though religious identity can influence political choices, it is not enough by itself to deliver victory in a presidential election.
He said, "If all Christians in Nigeria decide not to vote for Tinubu, he can never be President."
He immediately applied the same reasoning to Muslim voters, stressing that the argument should not be viewed as being directed at only one religious group.
He explained that if Muslims alone decided to support a Muslim-Muslim ticket, such an arrangement would also be unable to guarantee victory at the national level.
According to the cleric, the numerical realities of Nigerian politics show that neither of the country’s two major religious constituencies can independently provide enough support to produce a successful presidential candidate.
He therefore called for a broader understanding of politics that recognises the need to attract voters from different religious backgrounds.
The bishop’s warning formed part of a wider discussion on political and religious leadership in Nigeria.
The conversation also examined the relationship between politicians and religious leaders, particularly the concerns that may arise when clerics become too closely connected to political figures.
Idowu-Fearon’s position suggests that religious leaders should be careful about how they engage with politicians and should avoid allowing political interests to dominate their responsibilities as spiritual leaders.
He also touched on the ethical responsibilities of those in positions of political and religious authority.
Beyond the 2027 election, the bishop raised concerns about the difficult economic conditions facing ordinary Nigerians.
His comments reflected the broader challenges confronting citizens as they deal with economic hardship and other pressures affecting their daily lives.
His central message was that Nigeria’s religious diversity should not be treated as a tool for political division.
Candidates seeking elective office, particularly at the national level, need to recognise that electoral success requires support that cuts across religious communities.
He maintained that neither Christian votes nor Muslim votes, considered in isolation, can provide a sufficient foundation for winning the presidency.
The bishop therefore urged politicians and religious leaders to approach the 2027 elections with greater attention to national unity, cooperation and the realities of Nigeria’s diverse electorate.
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