2027: Anglican Church Urges INEC To Warn Politicians Against Premature Campaigns

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has called on the new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, to immediately call politicians to order and halt premature campaigns for the 2027 general election.

The church, speaking through its women’s wing, expressed deep concern that the early politicking was distracting office-holders from addressing the nation’s pressing governance and security crises.

The call was made by Mrs. Angela Eberechukwu Ndukuba, President of the Mother’s Union, Women’s Guild, Priceless Jewels, and Girls Guild, during her address at the 26th Annual Diocesan Women’s Conference, themed “The Unchangeable Promises of God: The Covenant-keeping God,” held on Saturday in Abuja.

“It is surprising that our politicians at all levels are already engaging in 2027 electoral campaign even before their second anniversary.

“We call on the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to call the nation’s politicians to order to face governance and adhere to electoral guidelines,” Mrs. Ndukuba said.

While congratulating the new INEC boss, she added, “We pray that God will use him to bring sanity into our electoral system.”

While speaking on the farmer-herder crisis, Ndukuba highlighted the gendered impact of the violence, revealing, “Many women are afraid to go to farm in many parts of the country in farming season for the fear of being gang raped or even losing their lives.”

She described the destruction of farms by cattle as a very wicked act and directly linked the clashes to the nation’s food scarcity.

Mrs Ndukuba further said that in some communities, herders have occupied ancestral villages, forcing indigenes into Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps when there is no civil war.

On the state of federal roads, wife of the Anglican Primate was unequivocal, labelling them ‘like death and kidnappers traps.’

She appealed to the minister of Works to ensure roads receive adequate attention and that construction is evenly done across the country.

While commending the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, for improvements within the The nation’s capital centre, she appealed for intervention on specific roads, including the Idu-Zhidu Road and the inaccessible road leading to the Anglican International Academy.

On aviation, the church called for regulatory oversight on airfare pricing, noting that despite the growing number of airlines, tickets remain “expensive and beyond the reach of low income earners.”

Amidst the critique of national affairs, Ndukuba encouraged the women to hold onto God’s promises in the face of adversity.

“With God, nothing happens by accident. What you are experiencing today may be part of the requirements for you to fulfil God’s purpose and promises for your life,” she said.

The conference also featured moments of solemnity and celebration, acknowledging the retirement of several clergymen, sympathising with those facing afflictions, and rejoicing with members who have received promotions and other blessings.