By TheDailyNewsHub
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties and candidates to ensure that the will of Nigerians prevails in the 2027 general elections.
The bishops also urged citizens to reject vote-buying and vote-selling, warning that manipulation of the electoral process could further deepen public distrust and voter apathy.
The President of the CBCN and Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, made the call on Sunday during the opening session of the Conference’s Second Plenary Meeting in Ede, Osun State. The plenary, which began on September 10, is scheduled to run until September 18.
Ndagoso said growing concerns over the credibility of elections and whether votes would count could discourage citizens from participating in the democratic process.
He therefore charged INEC to ensure that eligible voters have easy access to their voter cards and that the electoral process ultimately produces results that reflect the genuine choice of the electorate.
“Anything short of transparent, free, fair and credible elections in 2027 would be a serious disservice to our country,” the CBCN president said.
The Archbishop also called on political leaders to put the national interest above personal and partisan interests, while urging eligible Nigerians to turn out in large numbers and vote for candidates of their choice.
He specifically appealed to Catholics and other citizens to reject vote-selling and vote-buying, political cronyism and attempts to recruit young people as political thugs.
Ndagoso pointed to the recently concluded Osun State governorship election as a source of encouragement, commending the electorate for turning out to vote and protecting their votes.
According to him, the Osun experience offered “a glimmer of hope and confidence” that credible elections could be achieved in Nigeria.
“What happened in Osun; it can happen elsewhere and everywhere in our country,” he said, urging citizens to participate actively in the electoral process and exercise their civic responsibilities.
The bishops’ position comes against the backdrop of growing political activity ahead of the 2027 elections and continuing concerns over voter apathy, electoral violence, vote-buying and public confidence in democratic institutions.
At the same CBCN gathering, former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi urged Nigerians, particularly Catholic voters, to make informed political choices based on competence, integrity, policies and commitment to the common good rather than ethnicity, religion, financial inducements or blind loyalty to political parties.
The CBCN has previously raised concerns about voter apathy and the need for electoral reforms. In its first 2026 plenary communiqué, the bishops said the low turnout recorded during the FCT elections was a warning sign and called for measures to ensure that citizens’ votes are accurately transmitted and reflected in final results.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the Catholic bishops have therefore renewed their appeal for Nigerians to participate actively, protect the integrity of their votes and demand an electoral process in which the final outcome reflects the genuine choice of the people.