Catholic Bishops Warn Nigeria Is Gradually Sliding Towards One-Party Rule

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has raised concerns over what it described as the growing suppression of opposition voices in the country, warning that Nigeria risks sliding into a one-party state.

The warning was issued in a communiqué at the end of the CBCN plenary meeting held in Akwa Ibom State, which concluded last Friday. The statement was signed by Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, President of the CBCN, and Bishop Donatus Ogun, Secretary of the Conference.

The bishops expressed dismay at the increasing preoccupation of politicians with securing and retaining power ahead of the 2027 general elections, rather than focusing on good governance and the welfare of citizens.

According to the communiqué, the obsession with political dominance has fueled corruption, inefficiency, and neglect of public service delivery. The bishops also criticized frequent political defections, alignments, and realignments, describing them as self-serving moves with little consideration for national interest.

The statement reads, “In the face of many live threats, politicians are more concerned with securing and retaining power than with good governance for the common good of the electorate. Abandoning their duties, they pursue personal political ambitions, strategizing to grasp power in 2027. In fact, there appears to be suppression of opposition voices, and Nigeria is tilting towards a one-party state a development that is not a good omen for democracy.”

The CBCN called for urgent electoral reforms, including electronic transmission of results from polling units and real-time collation, to strengthen the credibility of elections. The bishops also urged the judiciary to remain impartial in electoral matters, stressing that judicial credibility is crucial for national stability.