Presidential candidate [Peter Obi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Obi) of the [Nigeria Democratic Congress](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria_Democratic_Congress) (NDC) has publicly denounced a digitally fabricated picture that appears to show him and Enugu governorship hopeful Sir Chinyeaka Oha asking [Pope Leo XIV](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Leo_XIV) for electoral blessings, urging all political rivals to keep the Pope and the [Catholic Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church) out of the 2027 election campaign.
**What triggered the objection?**
The NDC’s campaign media office learned on Thursday that an artificial‑intelligence‑generated image was circulating online. The picture allegedly places Cardinal John Onaiyekan, the NDC presidential candidate, alongside Sir Chinyeaka Oha, the party’s Enugu State governorship candidate, standing before Pope Leo XIV and appearing to solicit his endorsement for a victory at the polls.
**Who issued the condemnation?**
Idris Zekeri, the spokesperson for Obi’s Campaign Media Office (POMR), signed a statement on behalf of the candidate. The document described the image as “misleading and entirely unwarranted” and called on political opponents to cease exploiting religious figures and institutions for partisan advantage.
**Why does Obi reject religious involvement?**
Obi reiterated that his campaign is centred on tackling Nigeria’s most pressing challenges – poverty, insecurity, corruption and economic hardship – while expanding opportunities for the youth and building a nation where every citizen can live with dignity and hope. He argued that the election should be a contest of policies, records, competence and vision, not a platform for fabricated religious controversies.
**What did the statement say?**
> “The Peter Obi Media Office has become aware of a deceptive AI‑generated > image depicting the NDC Presidential Candidate, revered Cardinal John > Onaiyekan, and the Enugu State NDC gubernatorial candidate, Sir Chinyeaka > Oha, standing before the Catholic Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, and seeking his > blessing for electoral victory. The Media Office strongly condemns this > conduct and calls on political opponents to stop involving the Holy Father, > the Pope, and the Catholic Church in partisan campaigns. Such an act is > misleading and entirely unwarranted.
>
> “The Church is a sacred institution that must be respected rather than > exploited for political gain. Peter Obi’s campaign is centred on issues. It > seeks to rescue Nigeria from poverty, insecurity, corruption, and economic > hardship; expand opportunities for our youths; and build a nation in which > every Nigerian can live with dignity and hope.
>
> “We welcome vigorous political debate and challenge our opponents to address > Nigerians on these urgent matters. Let us debate our records, policies, > competence, character, and vision for the country. The 2027 election must > focus on Nigeria’s future, not fabricated religious controversies.”
**What is the broader significance?**
The incident highlights the growing risk of AI‑produced misinformation in Nigerian politics and underscores the principle of separating religious institutions from state affairs. Obi’s appeal reflects a broader call for campaigns to remain issue‑driven and for the Catholic Church to continue its spiritual mission without being drawn into partisan disputes.
By keeping the focus on concrete policy challenges rather than sensationalist religious imagery, Obi hopes the 2027 election will be decided on the merits of each candidate’s plan for a “New Nigeria”.