2027: Anything Short of Credible Polls Will Be Disservice to Nigeria – Bishops Warn INEC

Catholic bishops in Nigeria have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, political parties and candidates for the 2027 general elections to allow the will of voters to prevail at the poll and desist from manipulating the processes.

Specifically, they warned INEC against manipulation, saying anything short of transparent, credible, free and fair elections in 2027 will be a serious disservice to the nation.

The bishops lauded the resilience of the people of Osun during the recently held governorship election, asking voters to vote and ensure that their votes are counted ahead of the 2027 general elections.

They gave this warning in their separate remarks at the Opening Mass of the ongoing 2nd 2026 Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria being hosted by the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo.

Speaking during his homily at the Mass attended by Catholic Church leaders across Nigeria, government officials, traditional rulers among other dignitaries, at St Benedict Cathedral, Osogbo, on Sunday, Most Rev John Oyejola, the Catholic bishop of Osogbo Diocese, appealed to political leaders to turn a new leaf and deliver good governance, wondering why masses starve “in the midst of plenty.”

Bishop Oyejola asked all the political players ahead of the 2027 general elections to shun violence and allow level playing field for all stakeholders, reminding political leaders that “power acquired through bloodshed, fraud, manipulation, or intimidation becomes a curse upon the soul.

“If you subvert the will of the people, you may deceive institutions, you may intimidate communities, you may manipulate processes, but you cannot deceive the Almighty God. The word of God is very clear today. The vengeful will suffer the vengeance for the sake of your soul. Please turn away from wickedness, please. Today is another day for us to change,” he told the politicians and other public individuals in attendance.

While warning Nigerians against vote-buying, Oyejola opined that “a society cannot rise when its people trade their destiny for temporary gains.”

CBCN President and Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, while speaking at the opening Mass ceremony, called on all elected and appointed political office holders, the President, Governors, members of the National Assembly, Ministers, Local Government Chairmen, among others, to ensure that a genuine level playing field is maintained and focus placed on making everyone see that the rules and processes are fair to all and respected by all.

In particular, the bishop called on electoral body do better than it performed during Osun gubernatorial poll and ensure that 2027 election is transparent, fair, free and credible.

He said the people of Osun voted and stood by their votes. For Ndagoso, that voters resisted intimidation, trooped out to vote and kept vigil while votes are being counted is a sign that the nation has potentials to overcome its challenges.

Ndagoso, therefore, called on the electorate nationwide to replicate the Osun model by getting their permanent voter’s cards, trooping out to exercise their franchise and ensure their votes count.

Noting that “Conducting credible elections is within our power,” the bishop stated that concerted efforts must be made by the federal and state governments to secure Nigeria, end hunger and destitution and earn the trust of the followers. “We have the resources. The challenge is the lack of political will to ensure a better life for all citizens,” he added.

According to Ndagoso, “Despite the fact that Democracy has still not delivered on its promises of a better life for our people, our people still expect Democracy to give them a better future. It is significant that despite flawed, violent and frustrating elections, Nigerians have not called for a return to military rule, something we often did at the slightest provocation or discontentment. The political elite must take this as a sign that ordinary Nigerians, despite the foibles of the politicians elected to represent them, remain committed to their end of the social contract.

It is common knowledge that there is an increasing feeling of disenchantment over fears of the possible manipulation of the electoral processes. This distrust of the process and the fear that their votes may not count can and actually lower voter turnouts.”

Tasking INEC on credible poll, the CBCN President said: “Nigerians are simply asking the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to ensure that it delivers free, fair, and credible elections. This should place our country on the path of international respect and integrity. There is need to ensure that voters’ cards are easily available to all eligible voters, removing any obstacles and helping to culminate with election results that reflect the true choice of the people. Anything short of transparent, free, fair and credible elections in 2027 would be a serious disservice to our country. We urge that the conduct of the political class be in line with our national interest and call upon all eligible voters to come out in large numbers and vote candidates of their choice. Let us try to get it right and let all eligible Nigerian voters pick up the courage to go out and vote, come January 2027.

He warned electorate against selling their votes, and urged youths to resist any attempt by politicians to use them for thuggery.

The Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Most. Rev. Michael Francis Crotty, in his remarks while addressing journalists, urged Nigerians never to subscribe to voter apathy but should rather engage in democratic process in order for their votes to count.

According to the representative of the Pope in Nigeria, “The most important part is that the citizens are to be engaged in democratic process, to make their votes count and democratic process that we can have to build up future of Nigerian society. I think the important thing is for the people’s votes to count and to participate in the election process and all other occasions.”