Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) have urged Nigerians to take active and responsible part in the nation’s political process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Fayemi made the call while delivering a lecture at the September 2026 Plenary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria held at the Our Lady and St Kizito Pastoral Centre, Ede, Osun State.
Speaking on the theme, “Faith in Action: Empowering the Catholic Laity for Political Participation Ahead of the 2027 General Elections,” Fayemi acknowledged concerns over corruption, electoral violence, vote buying and declining public confidence in democratic institutions.
He, however, urged eligible citizens not to withdraw from the political process because of the challenges, but to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards, study candidates and their programmes, monitor elections and promote voter education.
The former governor also called on Nigerians to hold elected officials accountable and make informed choices at the polls, warning against allowing ethnicity, religion, financial inducement or blind loyalty to political parties to determine their votes.
According to him, political participation should be viewed not only as a civic responsibility but also as an avenue to advance justice, peace, human dignity and the common good.
Earlier, the President of the CBCN, Most Reverend Matthew Ndagoso, described the theme of the plenary as timely, given the challenges of insecurity, corruption, poverty and injustice confronting the country.
Ndagoso urged Nigerians to understand the Constitution and electoral process, support issue-based campaigns, reject electoral manipulation and violence, and demand transparency and accountability from political leaders.
Similarly, the Archbishop of Ibadan Archdiocese, Most Reverend Leke Abegunrin, called for competence, accountability, truthfulness and commitment to justice among political office seekers.
Abegunrin urged politicians and aspiring leaders to place public service above personal ambition, protect vulnerable citizens, reject corruption and work towards restoring hope in the country.
The Bishop of Ekiti Catholic Diocese, Most Reverend Felix Femi Ajakaye, stressed the need for responsible citizenship and active participation in the political process.
Ajakaye urged Catholic faithful and other Nigerians to see political engagement as an opportunity to promote the common good, uphold justice and contribute to good governance.
In his opening remarks, the President of the Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province Laity Council, Professor Francis Ibimiluyi, also called for increased political participation ahead of the 2027 elections.
He warned that voter apathy, vote buying, corruption, misinformation and electoral violence could undermine democratic governance.
Ibimiluyi therefore urged citizens to engage actively in politics, promote civic education and responsible voting, and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to strengthen accountability and responsible citizenship.
