Catholic Bishops Warn Against Flawed Elections, Bad Governance

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has warned that the nation is teetering on the brink of collapse due to systemic corruption, bad governance and deeply flawed elections, while also acknowledging some positive changes under the current administration.

The bishops, after concluding their second plenary meeting in Ikot Ekpene, presented a communiqué that served as both a critique of the nation’s ills and a roadmap for salvation, placing urgent electoral reforms at the forefront of their demands.

The communiqué jointly signed by the president of CBCN, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji of Owerri and the secretary, Bishop Donatus Ogun of Uromi, identified persistent electoral flaws including violence, voter suppression and declaration of fake results as the primary causes of widespread voter apathy, and demanded a fundamental overhaul.

“In order to radically reduce electoral malpractice in Nigeria, we call for more robust and comprehensive electoral reforms that should not only ensure an electronic transmission of results from the polling units, but also their electronic collation in real time.

“Transparent and unbiased appointment of the principal officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who are to be non-partisan and persons of unquestionable integrity. The activities of many of those so far appointed fall below expectation,” they said.

This, the bishops argued, necessitates amending relevant laws to strengthen the independence and credibility of INEC and protect it from interference.

They also urged the judiciary to live above board in electoral matters as it is necessary for the maintenance of social stability in our nation.

While commending the government for some positive changes like road projects, the new minimum wage and recent tax reforms, the bishops however painted a grim picture of the realities facing ordinary Nigerians.

They expressed concern that citizens have continued to suffer under extreme poverty and economic hardships and appear abandoned to a life of destitution and penury, and that insecurity continues unabated, forcing citizens to flee their homes and livelihoods.

The communiqué highlighted critical sectors in a state of decay, citing an inadequate health facility leading to a mass exodus of professionals and high rate of medical tourism by our leaders.

It lamented that while billions of naira was spent overseas, millions of Nigerians languish and die at home from curable illnesses.

The same crisis of funding and infrastructure was noted in education and the energy sector, which suffers from regular power outage.

The bishops identified the root of all these problems as “corruption and bad governance,” which they described as a “deadly cancer” destroying the nation’s fabric.

They issued a sharp rebuke to the political class, accusing them of being more preoccupied with securing and retaining power and perfecting strategies to grasp power in 2027 than with governing for the common good.

“This calls for the amendment of the relevant laws to strengthen the independence and credibility of INEC and protect it from interference,” the communique stated.

The bishops observed a dangerous trend towards a one-party state, warning that such a development is not a good omen for democracy.

In the face of this, the CBCN resolved to intensify the political education of the lay faithful to transform society with Christian principles, making a direct appeal to all Nigerians of voting age.

“We encourage all adults to get their permanent voter’s cards ready and vote at general elections in accordance with their informed conscience.

“We strongly advise our citizens not to allow themselves to be influenced by bribes, or swayed by promise of instant gratification, intimidation, or ethno-religious considerations during elections,” they stated.