By Augustine Aminu
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive action to tackle insecurity, strengthen democratic institutions, improve the economy, and guarantee credible elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The appeal was made by the President of the CBCN, Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, during a courtesy visit by members of the Conference to President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday.
Speaking on behalf of the bishops, Archbishop Ndagoso congratulated the President on his administration’s efforts in some areas, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) initiative and the recent rescue of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.
He described the rescue operation and the arrest of suspects as encouraging examples of what coordinated government action can achieve in protecting citizens.
However, the bishops expressed concern that insecurity remains widespread across the country, noting that terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes continue to threaten lives, livelihoods and national stability.
According to the CBCN President, schools, places of worship, farms, homes and highways remain vulnerable to attacks, while many Nigerians continue to live in fear.
The bishops also expressed concern over the country’s economic challenges, citing the rising cost of living, poor electricity supply, deteriorating road infrastructure and the delayed impact of government economic reforms.
They acknowledged that President Tinubu has repeatedly assured Nigerians that he understands their hardships but stressed that citizens are expecting practical interventions that will improve their living conditions.
On governance, the Catholic bishops called for the protection of Nigeria’s democratic space, urging the President to ensure that political competition remains open and fair.
They noted growing public concerns over the future of opposition politics and urged the administration to strengthen democratic institutions by guaranteeing equal opportunities for all political parties and contestants.
The bishops further appealed for reforms that would enhance public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct transparent, free and credible elections in 2027.
They also called for easier access to Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for eligible Nigerians and adequate funding for the electoral commission to improve public trust in the electoral process.
On education, the Conference commended the Federal Government’s student loan programme but urged authorities to address the shortage of university admission spaces.
The bishops expressed hope that the National Universities Commission’s moratorium on the establishment of new private universities would not undermine efforts to expand access to higher education.
The CBCN also raised concerns about issues affecting religious freedom and equal citizenship. The bishops appealed to the Federal Government to ensure that constitutional rights to freedom of worship are protected across the country and requested equal treatment for all religious communities in accessing land for places of worship.
The Conference renewed its request for the return of mission schools to their original proprietors, saying the matter had previously been presented to the Federal Government.
Archbishop Ndagoso also thanked President Tinubu for the Federal Government’s support during the recent visit of the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See.
He disclosed that Pope Leo XIV has expressed interest in visiting Nigeria and appealed to President Tinubu to formally invite the Pontiff, saying such a visit would provide spiritual encouragement and promote national unity.
The bishops concluded by reaffirming the Catholic Church’s commitment to partnering with the government in promoting peace, justice and national development while praying for wisdom and strength for the President in leading the country.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
