Catholic Secretariat Warns Against Voting Based On Ethnicity

The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) has asked Nigerians to reject ethnic considerations in the 2027 general elections and instead assess political candidates based on their character, integrity, competence and record of service.

The secretary-general of the Secretariat and Chaplain of St Gabriel Catholic Chaplaincy in Abuja, Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo, gave the charge during a holy mass held as part of activities marking the chaplaincy’s patronal feast of St Gabriel the Archangel.

The celebrations are expected to culminate on September 29, the liturgical feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.

Banjo said Nigeria’s ethnic and cultural diversity should not be allowed to become a source of political division, noting that people from different backgrounds could coexist and work together despite their differences.

“Today, we wear different cultural attires and speak different languages, but we gather around one altar and receive the same Eucharist,” he said.

He warned against ethnic cliques and the practice of supporting or defending individuals simply because they belong to one’s ethnic group.

According to him, the principle of national unity should also guide Nigerians when making political choices.
“Our many tribes and tongues should add colour to the Nigerian family, not become walls that divide us,” he said.

Turning to the 2027 elections, the CSN scribe urged voters to examine candidates’ records and their capacity to address the challenges confronting the country.

He said voters should consider what candidates had previously achieved, their attitude towards public resources, understanding of the difficulties faced by ordinary Nigerians and the credibility of their proposed solutions.

“Before you vote, ask: What has this person done? Can this person be trusted with public resources? Does this person understand what ordinary Nigerians are going through? Does this person have credible ideas for reducing hardship and improving people’s lives?” he asked.

Banjo cautioned Nigerians against allowing ethnic loyalty to determine the answers to such questions.

“Do not allow tribe to answer these questions for you. Hunger does not know your tribe. Unemployment does not know your language. Insecurity does not ask where you come from,” he said.

He further drew a connection between responsible citizenship and the Gospel reading from Matthew 21:28-32, which tells the story of a father who sent his two sons to work in his vineyard.

According to him, the vineyard should not be viewed only in spiritual terms, as Christians also have a responsibility to contribute to the improvement of the society in which they live.

He said responsible participation in elections was part of that obligation, urging Christians to see their votes as an opportunity to contribute to the country’s development.

“This is one of the ways we can express our ‘yes’ to God,” Banjo said.