By Our Reporter
Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), has condemned the circulation of an alleged AI-generated image depicting party candidates seeking the blessing of Pope Leo XIV for electoral victory.
Obi urged his political opponents to keep the Pope and the Catholic Church out of partisan politics, describing the development as misleading and unwarranted.
The Peter Obi Media Office (POMR) made the position known in a statement issued on Thursday, October 22, 2026, and signed by its spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr.
According to the statement, the media office had become aware of an AI-generated image purportedly showing Cardinal John Onaiyekan, identified in the statement as the NDC presidential candidate, and the party’s Enugu State governorship candidate, Sir Chinyeaka Oha, standing before Pope Leo XIV and seeking his blessing for electoral victory.
The office condemned the alleged use of the image, calling on political opponents to stop involving the Catholic Church and the Holy Father in partisan campaigns.
It maintained that the Church was a sacred institution that deserved respect and should not be exploited for political gain.
The statement stressed that Obi’s campaign was focused on addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges, including poverty, insecurity, corruption and economic hardship.
It added that his agenda also included expanding opportunities for young Nigerians and building a country where citizens could live with dignity and hope.
Obi, according to the statement, welcomed robust political debate and challenged his opponents to focus on issues affecting the country rather than engage in controversies involving religion.
“Let us debate our records, policies, competence, character, and vision for the country,” the statement quoted him as saying.
He further argued that the 2027 general election should centre on Nigeria’s future rather than what he described as fabricated religious controversies.
“The 2027 election must focus on Nigeria’s future, not fabricated religious controversies,” Obi said, according to the statement.
The former Anambra State governor also urged politicians to allow the Pope and the Catholic Church to carry out their spiritual responsibilities without being drawn into partisan disputes.
“Let us keep the Church separate from politics and focus the campaign on the genuine issues facing Nigerians,” he added.
The statement reiterated Obi’s call for issue-based campaigns, emphasising the need for political parties and candidates to present practical solutions to the country’s economic, security and social challenges ahead of the 2027 elections.
It ended with the campaign slogan, “A New Nigeria Is Possible.”