Catholic Bishops urge Nigerians to reject vote-buying, vote-selling ahead of 2027

The President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, has urged Nigerians to reject vote-buying and vote-selling ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ndagoso, who is also the Archbishop of the Kaduna Catholic Archdiocese, made the call on Sunday in Osogbo, Osun State, while delivering his address at the opening session of the second plenary meeting of the CBCN, hosted by the Osogbo Catholic Diocese.

The Catholic bishops’ president expressed concern over growing disenchantment among Nigerians, particularly fears surrounding possible manipulation of the electoral process and doubts over whether votes would count.

He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to take necessary steps to ensure that the 2027 elections are free, fair, transparent and credible, warning that distrust in the process could discourage citizens from voting.

“Anything short of transparent, free, fair and credible elections in 2027 would be a serious disservice to our country,” Ndagoso said.

He also called for voters’ cards to be made easily available to all eligible Nigerians, saying the removal of obstacles to voter registration and participation would help ensure that election results reflected the genuine choice of the electorate.

According to him, “a credible electoral process would help restore public confidence and place Nigeria on the path of international respect and integrity”.

Ndagoso commended INEC for the conduct of the recent Osun State off-season election, which he said had been adjudged free and fair by election observers and analysts.

“What happened in Osun elections has given a glimmer of hope and confidence to many Nigerians. We hope it is a good sign of better things to come in the 2027 General Elections,” he said.

He called on Catholic lay faithful and other Nigerians to participate actively in the political process, urging them to reject vote-buying, vote-selling, political cronyism and cynicism.

“We call upon and encourage our lay faithful and indeed all people of goodwill to reject vote-selling and buying, and resist the temptation of political cronyism and cynicism,” Ndagoso said.

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, represented at the event by his deputy, Kola Adewusi, acknowledged the Catholic Church’s contributions to Nigeria’s education, healthcare, human development and peace-building efforts.

He also urged the church to intensify prayers for peaceful and successful 2027 general elections, saying electoral peace-building would require both civic responsibility and divine intervention.