Rufai Oseni Archbishop Kawas: Rufai Oseni Accuses Archbishop Kawas of Blasphemy Over Tinubu Support Claim
Media personality Rufai Oseni has criticised Archbishop Kawas over a reported claim that God directed him to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu politically.
Oseni argued that individuals have the right to support whichever political candidate they choose, but said political preferences should not be presented as instructions from God.
Rufai Oseni has criticised Archbishop Kawas over a reported claim concerning divine support for President Tinubu.
In his reaction, Oseni described the alleged attribution of the political choice to God as blasphemous and called on the cleric to seek God’s forgiveness.
According to the statement circulating online, Oseni said there was nothing wrong with Archbishop Kawas choosing to support President Tinubu or any other politician.
However, he objected to the suggestion that God had instructed the cleric to support a particular political candidate.
“You can support anybody politically; it is your right. But don’t say God told you to support President Tinubu.”
Oseni’s argument was that political decisions should remain a matter of individual choice rather than being presented as a direct divine instruction.
He further argued that God is not an “altar of confusion” and questioned the idea that God would specifically instruct an individual to support a particular candidate in a political contest.
Oseni: People have the right to support any candidate
He maintained that every Nigerian has the right to make an independent political choice and support a candidate of their preference.
“God has no preference in our political process,” Oseni was quoted as saying, arguing that citizens are responsible for choosing the political candidates they want to support.
The debate touches on the relationship between religion, political support and personal choice in Nigeria.
His position appears to be that religious leaders should be cautious when presenting personal political convictions as divine instructions, particularly in a politically sensitive environment.
The debate over God and political choices
The controversy highlights a recurring question in Nigerian political discourse: Can a religious leader say that God wants a particular political candidate to win or be supported?
Religious leaders and their followers can hold strong political opinions, just like other citizens. However, claims that a political position is directly commanded by God can attract significant public debate because such claims go beyond ordinary political endorsement.
For critics such as Oseni, there is an important distinction between saying, “I believe this candidate is the best choice,” and saying, “God told me to support this candidate.”
The first is clearly a personal political position. The second makes a claim about divine communication that cannot ordinarily be independently verified by other people.
Religion and politics in Nigeria
Religion has historically played an important role in Nigerian public life, including political mobilisation and debates over leadership.
Christian and Muslim leaders have at different times expressed political opinions, endorsed candidates or encouraged their followers to participate in elections.
This relationship between religion and politics can become particularly sensitive during election periods, when statements by prominent religious figures can influence public opinion.
Research on Nigeria’s political and religious history has also documented the longstanding interaction between religious identity, political mobilisation and competition for power.
What is the controversy about?
At the centre of the disagreement is not simply whether Archbishop Kawas supports President Tinubu.
The central issue raised by Oseni is whether that political support should be described as something specifically directed by God.
Oseni’s position is that citizens are free to support any candidate but should not attribute their political preference to God without a basis for making such a claim.
The statement has therefore generated a broader discussion about the responsibility of religious leaders when speaking about politics and the extent to which spiritual authority should be invoked during political contests.
Support for Tinubu remains a political choice
President Bola Tinubu has supporters across different sections of Nigerian society, including individuals who may base their support on political, economic, ideological, religious or personal considerations.
The disagreement arises when political preferences are presented as having direct divine backing, particularly when the claim is made by someone regarded as a religious authority.
Why statements by religious leaders attract attention
Religious leaders often command substantial followings, meaning their political statements can receive considerable public attention.
When a prominent cleric publicly endorses a politician, supporters may regard the endorsement as influential, while critics may question whether religious authority is being used to influence political choices.
This makes statements involving God, elections and political candidates particularly sensitive.
Oseni’s message, as contained in the statement circulating online, was essentially that Archbishop Kawas can support President Tinubu if that is his personal political choice, but should not claim that the support was ordered by God.
He urged the cleric to reconsider the statement and seek forgiveness, describing the alleged claim as blasphemous.
Whether the two men agree on the role of faith in politics, however, does not change the broader principle that Nigerian citizens have the right to make their own political choices.
Conclusion
Rufai Oseni has challenged Archbishop Kawas over a reported claim linking God’s will to support for President Tinubu.
Oseni’s criticism centres on the distinction between a person’s right to support a political candidate and the claim that such support was specifically instructed by God.
He argued that Nigerians are free to support whichever candidate they prefer and called on Archbishop Kawas to seek God’s forgiveness over what he described as blasphemy.
The controversy adds to the continuing debate in Nigeria over the intersection of religion, political endorsements and democratic choice.
Note: The claims concerning what Archbishop Kawas said should be understood as allegations or reported statements unless and until the original recording, post or a direct statement from the cleric is independently verified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who criticised Archbishop Kawas over his support for Tinubu?
Media personality Rufai Oseni criticised Archbishop Kawas over a reported claim that God directed him to support President Bola Tinubu.
What did Rufai Oseni say about Archbishop Kawas?
Oseni said Archbishop Kawas has the right to support any political candidate but objected to the reported claim that God told him to support President Tinubu.
Why did Rufai Oseni describe the statement as blasphemy?
Oseni argued that a personal political preference should not be presented as a direct instruction from God. He described the reported attribution of the political choice to God as blasphemous.
Did Rufai Oseni oppose support for Tinubu?
The statement indicates that his main objection was not the choice to support Tinubu but the reported claim that the support was specifically directed by God.
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