By Paul Joseph
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has warned Nigerians against vote buying, political thuggery and other practices capable of undermining the credibility of the 2027 general election.
The bishops urged eligible voters not to allow themselves to be recruited as political thugs or used to advance the interests of politicians seeking to manipulate the electoral process.
The warning was issued by the President of the CBCN and Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, during the opening of the bishops’ Second Plenary Meeting in Ede, Osun State.
Ndagoso called on political leaders and other stakeholders to ensure that the 2027 elections are conducted freely, fairly and credibly, stressing that the process must be guided by democratic principles and respect for electoral rules.
He described politics as a noble profession when pursued in the interest of the common good and urged political actors to create an environment where all contestants can participate on a level playing field.
According to him, elected and appointed public officials, including the President, governors, lawmakers, ministers and local government chairmen, have a responsibility to protect democratic values and uphold the rules governing elections.
The CBCN president also maintained that credible elections are achievable if Nigerians demonstrate the political will to make them happen.
He cautioned against treating free and fair elections as an impossible task, urging Nigerians to work collectively towards strengthening confidence in the democratic process.
The bishops’ intervention comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general election, with political parties and aspirants increasingly mobilising supporters across the country.
Ndagoso urged political actors to ensure that the coming campaigns do not create an atmosphere of violence, exclusion or intimidation, but instead promote peaceful participation and issue-based engagement.
The Second Plenary Meeting, which commenced on September 10 and is expected to end on September 18, brought together Catholic bishops, the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, clergy, consecrated men and women, lay faithful and other Church leaders.
At the opening session, Ndagoso also welcomed Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and other government officials.
He congratulated Adeleke on his re-election and commended other candidates who participated in the Osun governorship election.
The archbishop subsequently appealed to political actors in the state to put the election behind them, embrace unity and concentrate on delivering meaningful development to the people.
The bishops’ call comes amid wider appeals for Nigerians to place competence, integrity and commitment to the common good above political loyalty when making choices ahead of the 2027 elections.
Leave a Reply