Catholic bishops in Nigeria have urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties and candidates to ensure that the will of voters prevails in the 2027 general elections and to reject any attempt to manipulate the electoral process.
They made the call on Sunday during the opening Mass of the second 2026 Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), hosted by the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo at St Benedict Cathedral, Osogbo.
Speaking at the ceremony, the CBCN President and Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, called on elected and appointed public officials, including the President, governors, lawmakers, ministers and local government chairmen, to provide a genuine level playing field for all political actors.
Ndagoso specifically urged INEC to build on its performance in the Osun governorship election and ensure the 2027 polls are free, fair, transparent and credible.
“Conducting credible elections is within our power,” he said.
The archbishop also called for concerted action by the Federal and state governments to tackle insecurity, hunger and poverty while restoring public confidence in government.
“We have the resources. The challenge is the lack of political will to ensure a better life for all citizens,” he said.
Ndagoso said Nigerians remained committed to democracy despite the failure of successive governments to fully deliver on its promise of improved living standards.
He noted that Nigerians had not demanded a return to military rule despite experiencing flawed, violent and frustrating elections, describing this as evidence of their continued faith in democratic governance.
However, he warned that growing disillusionment and fears of electoral manipulation could discourage citizens from participating in future elections.
“Nigerians are simply asking the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure that it delivers free, fair, and credible elections,” he said.
He urged the electoral commission to make voter cards readily available to eligible citizens and eliminate administrative obstacles that could prevent people from voting.
“Anything short of transparent, free, fair and credible elections in 2027 would be a serious disservice to our country,” Ndagoso said.
He also urged politicians to put national interest ahead of personal ambitions, while calling on eligible voters to participate actively in the elections.
The archbishop cautioned voters against selling their ballots and urged young people to reject attempts by politicians to recruit them for thuggery and electoral violence.
Bishop condemns vote-buying
In his homily, the Catholic Bishop of Osogbo Diocese, Most Rev. John Oyejola, urged political leaders to change their approach to governance and improve living conditions for Nigerians.
Oyejola questioned why citizens continued to face hunger “in the midst of plenty” and called on political actors to shun violence and ensure a level playing field ahead of the 2027 elections.
He warned that political power acquired through violence, fraud, manipulation or intimidation could have serious consequences.
“If you subvert the will of the people, you may deceive institutions, you may intimidate communities, you may manipulate processes, but you cannot deceive the Almighty God,” he said.
Oyejola also condemned vote-buying, warning that it undermined the country’s future.
“A society cannot rise when its people trade their destiny for temporary gains,” he said.
Apostolic Nuncio urges voter participation
The Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Most Rev. Michael Francis Crotty, urged Nigerians to reject voter apathy and participate actively in the democratic process.
Crotty, who represents the Pope in Nigeria, stressed that citizens had an important role to play in determining the country’s future through their votes.
“The most important part is for citizens to be engaged in the democratic process, to make their votes count and use the democratic process to build up the future of Nigerian society,” he said.
