“TUFIAKWA! I WILL NEVER CAMPAIGN FOR APC OR TINUBU” — REV. DACHOMO REJECTS 2027 ENDORSEMENT CLAIM
Plateau Cleric Warns Tinubu Campaigners Against Using His Name as Controversy Over Israel Prayer Video Deepens
Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo, the Plateau State-based cleric who has consistently drawn attention to attacks on communities in the state, has denied allegations that he is campaigning for President Bola Ahmed
Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election.
The clarification followed a controversy sparked by social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), who questioned the cleric’s reported prayers for Tinubu and his administration during his recent visit to Israel.
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In reports published on October 13, 2026, Dachomo firmly rejected the suggestion that his prayers amounted to an endorsement of Tinubu’s re-election bid. He insisted that his intentions had been misrepresented and warned against using his name to promote any political campaign.
According to reports by TheNiche and NewsNaija, the cleric maintained that his prayers were directed at Nigeria’s peace, justice and the protection of communities affected by violence, rather than securing electoral victory for a particular party or candidate.
“Which success? The success of rigging elections?” Dachomo reportedly asked while challenging the interpretation of his prayers.
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He further declared that anyone planning electoral malpractice should fail, stressing the importance of justice and peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims.
HOW THE CONTROVERSY STARTED
The dispute emerged after a video circulated online, prompting VDM to question whether Dachomo had shifted from criticising the
Tinubu administration over insecurity to praying for its success ahead of the next presidential election.
VDM also questioned the circumstances surrounding the cleric’s Israel visit and suggested that his actions required further explanation. Those suggestions, however, remain allegations and should not be treated as established facts.
Dachomo’s response was unequivocal on one central point: he does not want his prayers for Nigeria interpreted as an endorsement of Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima or the APC’s 2027 presidential ticket.
Earlier, on October 6, the cleric had also denied praying for Tinubu and Shettima to win the election, insisting that his prayers were for Nigeria and all its citizens, irrespective of religious affiliation.
PRAYERS FOR NIGERIA OR POLITICAL ENDORSEMENT?
The controversy raises an important distinction between praying for a country’s peace and the success of its people, and explicitly campaigning for a political candidate.
Dachomo’s position, as reported, is that the two should not be confused. His public statements reject the interpretation that his prayers constituted electoral support for Tinubu.
Whether Nigerians find the explanation convincing is a matter for public scrutiny.
What remains essential is that political claims about public figures be assessed against their actual statements and available evidence, rather than assumptions about their motives.
As the 2027 election approaches, the controversy also highlights the need for transparency and responsible political communication, particularly when the names and reputations of religious leaders are involved.
This report is based on published accounts of Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo’s public response.
Stay with Headlineswave.ng for credible news, public-interest reporting and developments ahead of the 2027 general election.
