Christmas Call for Recognition: Bishop Ugokwe, 30 Other Bishops Who Stood for Tinubu Election Seek Inclusion

In a season defined by gifts and goodwill, a quiet plea for political acknowledgment is emerging from the pulpits. As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extends appointments to former critics like Reno Omokri—recently cleared by the Senate as an ambassador-designate—a core group of his earliest supporters watches with hopeful expectation. They are the thirty Christian bishops and clerics who defied intense criticism to endorse the now-president and his Muslim running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, at a time when their party’s “Muslim-Muslim” ticket was deeply controversial. Their question is simple: if the President’s renowned largesse of heart can embrace reconciled opponents, what of those who stood boldly with him from the start?

The story of their support is not one of casual endorsement but of profound conviction and personal risk. When major Christian bodies distanced themselves from the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket, figures like Bishop Prince Ugochukwu Ugokwe stepped into the breach. Appointed to the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Bishop Ugokwe publicly defended the ticket as “divine and the best for party victory,” urging religious leaders to preach national unity over division. This was not a mere political calculation; it was, as they framed it, an “act of patriotism for national unity and for religious harmony.” They absorbed the backlash from within their own communities, choosing to promote a narrative of national potential over religious sentiment.

Their labor was not a one-time electoral transaction. These leaders have persisted as pillars of interfaith advocacy and moral support for the administration. Bishop Ugokwe, who also leads the Christian Muslims Love Lead and Care Foundation, has consistently prayed for the nation’s peace and the President’s success, publicly calling for unity between ethnic groups like the Igbos and Yorubas. Now, they are channeling this mission into concrete initiatives for national healing, such as the forthcoming 2026 National Religious Leaders Peace and Security Summit (NRLPAS) unveiled in Abuja. Their work aligns with the critical need for faith-led dialogue in a nation confronting crises, proving their commitment extends far beyond the political arena.

The recent ambassadorial screening, where Reno Omokri was allowed to “take a bow and go” by the Senate despite some drama, has become a poignant reference point. The Delta State APC congratulated Omokri, framing his nomination as a testament to President Tinubu’s commitment to “merit, national inclusion and the recognition of individuals”. This precedent sets a powerful standard. The thirty bishops argue, with respectful urgency, that the same spirit of inclusion and reward should flow to those whose faith and patriotism compelled them to support a vision of Nigeria that transcended traditional divides. They stood firm when it was unpopular, believing in the promise of an incoming Tinubu-Shettima government to foster a new Nigeria.

As Christmas approaches—a time of remembrance and blessing—the appeal is directed not only to the President but also to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, herself a pastor. As a “mother of the nation,” her sought-after support for these ministries would resonate deeply. The clerics do not demand; they remind. They continue to pray for the unity of the nation and the success of the Tinubu government, as they have done since before the election. Honouring them would not merely be a political reward; it would be a powerful affirmation that courage, fidelity, and patriotic faith are seen, valued, and remembered at the highest levels of the nation they strive to unite.. Bishop ugochukwu ugokwe who is also the presiding Bishop of Yoke Breakers prophetic ministry abuja. Advice all Nigeria to unite for a better country that’s safe for all.. for only President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. can not do it alone. Now that all international community eyes are in Nigeria for solution.