Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria
The leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday, presenting a stark assessment of the nation’s political, security, and economic challenges.
Led by the newly elected President of the Conference and Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, the delegation cautioned the administration against the narrowing of political opposition, while calling for urgent government action to alleviate widespread citizen suffering.
Key Highlights of the Address
1. Protection of Democracy and Opposition Politics
Warning against a potential drift toward a single-party dominant state, Archbishop Ndagoso urged President Tinubu, a veteran of Nigeria’s pro-democracy movement, to ensure political officeholders preserve a fair, competitive playing field.
“Whether these fears are genuine or not, can only be tested by the signals citizens receive from Your Excellency as the leader of the party in power,” the prelate stated, emphasising that strengthening democratic institutions remains the President’s greatest potential legacy.
2. Electoral Integrity Ahead of 2027
Addressing growing voter disenfranchisement and declining turnouts, the CBCN demanded robust reforms to restore public trust in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Bishops insisted that:
Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) must be made easily accessible to all eligible citizens.
Timely and adequate funding be provided to INEC to guarantee full operational independence.
The outcome of the 2027 general elections must transparently reflect the genuine choice of the electorate to avoid an “avoidable disaster.”
3. Escalating Insecurity and Economic Distress
While acknowledging recent security successes, such as the rescue and prosecution of perpetrators in the Oyo State school kidnapping, the CBCN stressed that these remain isolated incidents amidst pervasive terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping across highways, farms, and places of worship.
Compounded by grid instability in the power sector, decaying infrastructure, and high inflation, the prelate noted that the administration’s “Renewed Hope” agenda has yet to cushion hardship for everyday Nigerians.
“Our nation is bleeding. The citizens are suffering and crying. Words are not enough. They expect concrete action that engenders some change in their condition,” Ndagoso warned.
Specific Policy Demands Placed Before the President
The Catholic Bishops formally presented two key legal and policy requests to the administration:
Religious Freedom and Equal Rights Citing the February 10, 2026 Supreme Court judgment affirming religious rights for Muslim students in Rivers State, the CBCN urged equal implementation nationwide, specifically requesting that northern Christians face no barriers in securing land for places of worship.
The Conference highlighted that Pope Leo holds Nigeria close in prayer and expressed enthusiasm during a March meeting regarding a potential papal visit to the country.
The Bishops formally appealed to President Tinubu to extend an official state invitation to the Pontiff to bring national blessings and foster state-church collaboration.
