As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, Joe Zaki, popularly known as Zaki, The Father of Kura, has challenged church leaders in Plateau State to explain the principles that will guide their political positions, asking what they will tell their followers when the next governorship election approaches.
In a Sunday advisory titled “A Respectful Advisory to Our Church Leaders in Plateau : What Will You Tell Us in 2027 ? We Are Watching,” Zaki recalled the 2023 governorship election, arguing that Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, then the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, demonstrated exceptional preparedness, intellectual capacity and a comprehensive development agenda for Plateau State.
According to him, Yilwatda began consultations as far back as 2021/2022 and developed a detailed manifesto containing proposals on security, technology, agriculture, mining, healthcare, education and youth empowerment. He described the document as measurable and practical, with projections for improving the state’s economy and restoring security.
Zaki particularly highlighted Yilwatda’s proposed use of drones, artificial intelligence and surveillance technology to combat insecurity, flush out bandits and reclaim ancestral lands. He also cited the candidate’s economic blueprint, which reportedly projected that Plateau could generate more than N50 billion annually in internally generated revenue through technology, agricultural value chains and mining reforms.
The writer further claimed that Yilwatda toured all 207 wards in Plateau State, presenting his manifesto and consulting communities and religious institutions, including COCIN, ECWA, EYN, the Catholic Church, the Anglican Church and Pentecostal denominations.
He also recalled Yilwatda’s alleged humanitarian interventions before entering government, including payment of WAEC, NECO and JAMB fees, settlement of hospital bills and assistance to youths.
Despite these credentials, Zaki argued that Yilwatda’s candidacy faced resistance from sections of the Christian community because of his APC affiliation and the controversy surrounding the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of the party in the 2023 elections.
He recalled the expression, “He is good, but it is the party we reject,” which he said captured the position of some opponents of Yilwatda’s candidacy.
Zaki maintained that Yilwatda’s second-place finish, despite what he described as opposition from influential religious quarters, suggested that the former candidate enjoyed considerable support among Plateau voters. He also noted that Yilwatda’s father was a COCIN pastor, while his late mother, according to him, was an active and morally upright church leader.
The writer’s concern, however, centres on what he described as a possible change in political attitudes ahead of 2027.
He recounted a conversation with an appointee in the present administration who allegedly told him that elections in Plateau were won through churches and that religious institutions would be instrumental in securing the governor’s re-election in 2027 under the APC platform.
Zaki said the remark prompted him to question whether the political objections previously raised against the APC would remain relevant now that the incumbent governor, elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had moved to the same party that some church leaders reportedly opposed in 2023. He asked whether the principles behind the earlier rejection would be applied consistently in the forthcoming election.
He also questioned the state government’s accountability and transparency, citing figures of N10.11 billion allegedly spent on travel within six months and N23.69 billion reportedly allocated to insecurity.
He asked whether the expenditure had produced commensurate results, arguing that public spending should be subjected to scrutiny and measured against tangible improvements in security and citizens’ welfare. The figures and their implications remain claims requiring verification against official records.
Invoking the Bible, Zaki challenged church leaders to examine their conduct against the Scriptures they preach. He cited Matthew 23:27–28, which condemns hypocrisy : “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites ! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead.”
He used the passage to question whether religious leaders could consistently preach righteousness while allowing political considerations to influence their public positions.
He also cited James 2:1–4, which warns believers against showing favouritism and making discriminatory judgments.
According to Zaki, the rejection of a candidate primarily because of his party affiliation, despite acknowledging his personal qualities, raises questions about whether political choices were based on individual merit or party identity.
He challenged religious leaders to explain whether the same standard would apply in 2027.
Further reinforcing his argument, Zaki quoted Galatians 6:7 : “Do not be deceived : God cannot be mocked.
A man reaps what he sows.” He also referenced Matthew 7:16 : “By their fruits you will know them.
Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles ?” He asked whether the performance of political leaders should not be the central consideration when religious institutions advise their members on electoral choices.
Citing Proverbs 29:2 “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan” .
Zaki questioned whether the concerns of ordinary Plateau residents, particularly over insecurity, public expenditure and governance, would receive greater attention than party affiliations and political alliances.
He asked what message church leaders would communicate to their congregations ahead of 2027 and whether their positions would reflect consistent moral convictions.
Zaki urged Christians and other eligible voters to know the Scriptures for themselves, scrutinise candidates’ records and make independent, informed decisions rather than depend exclusively on political directives from religious leaders.
He maintained that the coming election would test the consistency of public moral positions and called on church leaders to uphold fairness, accountability and impartiality in their political engagements.
He concluded that Plateau residents would closely monitor the positions adopted by religious leaders as the 2027 governorship election approaches, insisting that any perceived contradictions or double standards would attract public scrutiny.
“Interesting times lie ahead. We will be watching keenly,” he declared.
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