HomeElections
Elections
Misleading

Altered photo falsely shows bishop wearing Tinubu insignia

Nurudeen Akewushola
Nurudeen Akewushola
Reading Time: 2 min.

Share

See the sources for this fact-check

A photograph of Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas, President-General of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), has surfaced on social media with a Tinubu-associated insignia apparently added to his cap.

The image was shared on X by @Dismanae2x on 11 September 2026, with the caption:

“Even bishop don endorse Tinubu for 2027 election. Omoh.”

The post had recorded about 1,100 views, eight reposts and 16 likes as of 16 September 2026.

Another X user, @Princeujay, also shared the photograph with the caption, “Bishop that needs to be given money before advocating for good governance. Na Bishop?”

The post had generated about 1,200 views, 70 reposts and 111 likes.

CLAIM

Photo shows Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas wearing a cap bearing a Tinubu-associated insignia.

Screenshot of the viral post

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the photograph has been altered.

A comparison of the viral photograph with the original version shows that the Tinubu-associated insignia visible on the cap in the circulating image is absent from the original photograph.

The original photograph was taken during the visit by members of Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in June 2024.

In the original photograph, however, Kawas’ cap does not contain the symbol visible in the viral version. The symbol has been superimposed on the image, altering the appearance of the original photograph.

The alteration is significant because it creates the impression that Kawas was photographed publicly wearing a political insignia associated with Tinubu.

There is, however, a separate factual development that may have contributed to the circulation of the altered photograph.

On 9 September 2026, Kawas announced that the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria had endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s bid for re-election in the 2027 presidential election. The announcement was made at the CBCN’s 2026 synod in Abuja.

The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation reported that Kawas declared the conference’s support for Tinubu, saying, “We support him now. We support him today, we support him tomorrow, and we support him for as long as he’s willing to be our president.”

He subsequently said, “This house has endorsed him for 2027 presidency.”

The endorsement was also reported by TVC News and Vanguard, which both identified Kawas as the person who announced the CBCN’s position.

Therefore, the underlying claim that Kawas and the CBCN endorsed Tinubu’s bid for a second term in for the 2027 presidential election is supported by multiple reports. However, the circulating photograph is not authentic.

VERDICT

The photograph is MISLEADING. Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas and the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria did endorse President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election. However, the Tinubu-associated insignia visible on Kawas’ cap in the viral photograph was not present in the original photograph and was added to the image.

+ posts

Nurudeen Akewushola is a fact-checker with FactCheckHub. He has authored several fact checks which have contributed to the fight against information disorder. You can reach him via nyahaya@icirnigeria.org and @NurudeenAkewus1 via Twitter.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here


Most Read

Recent Checks

Deepfake image falsely depicts Poco Lee in UK courtroom

AI-generated woman falsely portrayed as Neymar’s companion in viral video

Old video of Lagos illegal drug factory raid recirculates online

No, Harare mayor Mafume made no disparaging remarks about Nigeria

Nigeria 2027: The fake promises candidates never made