Former media aide to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, has accused the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, of using church visits as political outreach ahead of elections.
Ahmad made the allegation on Tuesday while reacting to Obi’s recent appearance at Koinonia Global, where the former Anambra State governor called on Nigerians to pray for political leaders and the country.
Obi had told worshippers that politicians were responsible for many of Nigeria’s challenges, urging them to pray for leaders to develop the willingness to use public resources for the benefit of citizens.
“We are the problem of the country. There’s nothing wrong in Nigeria. What is wrong in Nigeria is the leadership, the politicians God created in this country,” Obi said.
He also appealed to Nigerians to pray for politicians to stop stealing public funds and use the nation’s resources for the public good.
Obi’s appearance at the church generated mixed reactions on social media, with some Nigerians defending his participation while others questioned his motive.
An X user, @honshield, defended Obi, arguing that the presidential candidate had simply attended a church service and was invited to speak.
“Peter attended a church service and was invited to speak. Nothing more and nothing less,” the user wrote.
The user also accused Ahmad of double standards, referring to a recent meeting between President Bola Tinubu and hundreds of Christian clerics.
“Your good for nothing boss invited 500 clerics to Aso Rock a few days ago and you never uttered a word,” the user added.
Responding, Ahmad said the issue was not Obi’s attendance at a church service but what he described as a pattern of church visits by the presidential candidate as elections approach.
“The issue isn’t simply that Peter Obi attended a church service or was invited to speak, Henry,” Ahmad said.
He argued that the political context surrounding Obi’s church appearances should also be considered.
“The real issue is the political calculation behind the pattern and the double standards surrounding it,” he added.
Ahmad alleged that Obi frequently embarked on church visits whenever an election was approaching.
“Let’s be honest here whenever an election draws near, we suddenly see Peter Obi on a seemingly endless church tour, week after week,” he said.
The former presidential aide questioned whether the visits amounted to political mobilisation presented as religious engagement.
“If that isn’t political outreach dressed up as religious engagement, then what is?” Ahmad asked.
Obi, who is preparing to contest the 2027 presidential election under the NDC, has increasingly featured in public engagements as political activities ahead of the election intensify.
His appearance at Koinonia Global came amid renewed political discussions and competing efforts by presidential candidates and political parties to build support across different segments of the electorate.