Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi is criticized by some Nigerians after he visits Koinonia Global Ministries in Abuja and urges people to pray for politicians. Reports say the interdenominational worship centre is associated with Apostle Joshua Selman, and that Obi’s message focuses on leaders stopping the looting of public funds.
Across outlets, the main points of contention are similar: backlash on social media and accusations that the visit reflects a renewed “church-to-church” or religion-centred campaigning approach as the 2027 elections approach. One source frames the criticism as attacks tied to Obi’s call for prayers for “corrupt politicians,” while another highlights how critics see the move as echoing campaign tactics used around the 2023 election cycle.
Other commenters quoted in the reporting argue that religious engagement is part of politics in Nigeria and note that appeals based on ethnicity and other identity factors are also common. The reporting broadly reflects an ongoing debate about the role of religion in political campaigns as the election cycle draws nearer.
