Catholic Bishops to FG: Tackle Insecurity, Ensure Credible 2027 Elections

By Jon Paul
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has called on the Federal Government to urgently address rising insecurity across the country and guarantee credible elections in 2027, warning that persistent violence and declining voter turnout pose serious threats to Nigeria’s democracy.

The position was presented by the CBCN President, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, on Sunday at the opening of the conference’s 2026 First Plenary Meeting held at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria in Abuja.

Ugorji described the nation’s security situation as alarming, citing repeated kidnappings and mass killings in several states. He condemned recent attacks in Woro and Nuku communities of Kwara State, where more than 200 people were reportedly killed, and expressed concern that perpetrators were operating without being apprehended.

While acknowledging steps taken by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including the declaration of a national security emergency, Ugorji said the government’s response remained largely reactive. He urged authorities to invest in modern surveillance technology and ensure timely prosecution of suspects, warning that delays or the reintegration of repentant insurgents under initiatives such as Operation Safe Corridor could erode public confidence.

On electoral matters, the bishops expressed concern over declining voter turnout, which Ugorji said dropped from 69 per cent in 2003 to 23 per cent in 2023. He urged the National Assembly to review the Electoral Act and make the real-time electronic transmission of results mandatory.

Specifically, he called for results from the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to be transmitted directly from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV), to prevent tampering and strengthen transparency. He cautioned lawmakers against adopting inconsistent positions on digital reforms, noting that while the 2025 Tax Act mandates digital filing and record-keeping, similar technological safeguards should be entrenched in the electoral process.

The CBCN also raised concerns about the economic impact of the 2025 Tax Act, which took effect on January 1, 2026. While acknowledging its potential benefits, Ugorji warned that the reforms could increase living costs and worsen hardship for citizens.

The bishops further described illegal mining as a major driver of insecurity and revenue loss, alleging that criminal groups use proceeds from minerals such as gold and lithium to fund armed activities. Ugorji called for stricter enforcement and the deployment of drone and artificial intelligence technology to monitor remote mining sites.

In his remarks, former Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Dr. Mike Omeri, urged leaders to embrace servant leadership, while Emeritus Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, expressed hope that the meeting would yield solutions for justice and peace in the country.

Ugorji also announced that he would step down as CBCN President at the conclusion of the plenary, thanking members for their support during his tenure. The event was attended by government officials, including representatives of President Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as well as heads of various Christian denominations.