The Peter Obi Media Office has condemned an alleged AI-generated image showing Catholic cleric Cardinal John Onaiyekan and the Enugu State governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Sir Chinyeaka Oha, seeking Pope Leo XIV’s blessing for electoral victory.
The media office described the image as deceptive and urged political opponents to stop involving the Pope and the Catholic Church in partisan campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the spokesperson of the Peter Obi Media Office, Idris Zekeri Jnr, the office said the act was “misleading and entirely unwarranted.”
“The Church is a sacred institution that must be respected rather than exploited for political gain,” the statement said.
The office said the presidential campaign of the NDC’s candidate was focused on addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges, including poverty, insecurity, corruption and economic hardship.
It added that Obi’s agenda included expanding opportunities for young people and building a country where citizens could live with dignity and hope.
The statement also challenged political opponents to focus their campaigns on substantive issues rather than religious controversies.
“Let us debate our records, policies, competence, character, and vision for the country,” the statement quoted Obi as saying.
It further stated that the 2027 elections should centre on the country’s future rather than controversies arising from fabricated religious imagery.
“The 2027 election must focus on Nigeria’s future, not fabricated religious controversies,” Obi said, expressing disappointment over the incident.
The media office maintained that the Pope and the Catholic Church should be allowed to perform their spiritual duties without being drawn into political disputes.
“Let us keep the Church separate from politics and focus the campaign on the genuine issues facing Nigerians,” the statement quoted Obi as saying.
