The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, has declared December 8, 2027 as a day of fasting and prayer for the success of the 2027 general elections.
The annnoucement was contained in a communique issued at the end of the second plenary meeting of the CBCN held at Our Lady and St. Kizito Pastoral Centre Oke-Gada, Ede, Osogbo Diocese, Osun State, from 10 – 18 September, 2026.
The communique was signed by the President, Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso of the Kaduna Archdiocese and Secretary, Bishop Peter Olukayode Odetoyinbo of the Abeokuta Diocese.
The CBCN urged all dioceses and parishes in Nigeria to embark on civic education and mobilize the faithful to pray for credible elections.
Calling on all stakeholders to work for free, fair and credible elections, the clerics encouraged “eligible voters to come out en mass to to vote qualified people into offices and in line with their good consciences.”
The CBCN urged citizens to study the pastoral letter it issued regarding the forthcoming general elections and follow the provisions and guidelines.
On the state of the nation, the Catholic Bishops challenged the Nigerian government to address insecurity, poverty and decay in infrastructure in Nigeria.
The bishops recognized the move by government to decentralise the police system to tackle insecurity, but requested that such a reorganisation should be deployed for the common good rather than for personal, ethnic, political and religious interests.
“We observe that incidents of widespread violence, kidnapping, banditry, illegal mining and stealing of our common natural resources persist.
“All these rob citizens of peace and threaten the unity of the nation.
“In a special way, we demand Government to do all that is necessary to stop banditry and recover the vast portions of land used for this criminal activity and ensure a productive and beneficial use of the land.”
The CBCN noted that the invasion of schools and places of worship and abduction or even killing of students and worshippers still go on.
“More so, the massive displacement of communities in some parts of our nation has taken a toll on the social, economic and political lives of our people, with millions of people in IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps across the country.
“We enjoin Government to intensify efforts and impactful actions to enable the displaced persons return to their ancestral homes.
“We equally urge government at all levels to ensure that all people including migrants and refugees are treated with respect and human dignity with their basic rights and needs guaranteed and respected.
“While we pray for the repose of those who have been killed, we encourage Government to strengthen security forces, deploy better intelligence, and hold wrongdoers accountable.
“We ask our people to report suspicious activities, cooperate with security agencies, and reject ethnic or religious divisions,” the CBCN said.
The bishops noted how poverty has been used as an instrument of control in Nigeria, stating that hardship and lack of basic needs leave many families struggling to survive despite the national wealth.
“We demand that government at all levels create more job opportunities, provide enabling environment for growth, support local businesses, and manage economic policies that ease the financial burden on the poor.
“Concerted efforts, therefore, must be made by the federal and state governments to drastically reduce poverty, pain and suffering of our people.
“Still more, Government should work to provide enabling policies for private sector participation.
“At the same time, we encourage our citizens to practise honest labour, support local enterprises, and avoid criminality and corrupt practices,” the clerics said.
On infrastructure, the bishops said bad roads, erratic power supply, and failing public utilities slow down economic growth and daily life.
“We charge Government to transparently invest more funds in public amenities, repair vital roads, and ensure steady electricity and clean water.
“We particularly demand that railway transport facilities be provided throughout the nation to enhance socio-economic life of our people.
“We also ask our people to protect public property from vandalism and report corrupt practices about infrastructural projects.”
In the communique, the CBCN also stated its position on the Foreign AIDS, (Regulation, Transparency And Disclosure) Bill, Christian Education, Human Dignity, among other issues.
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