The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has cautioned the federal government against actions that could push the country toward a one-party state, warning that continued suppression of opposition voices threatens democratic stability.
In a communiqué issued at the end of their plenary meeting in Akwa Ibom State, which concluded on Friday, September 19, 2025, the bishops said Nigeria’s political climate is increasingly marked by power struggles ahead of the 2027 elections rather than attention to governance.
The statement, signed by Archbishop Lucius Ugorji of Owerri, CBCN President, and Bishop Donatus Ogun of Uromi, Secretary, accused politicians of pursuing narrow ambitions while citizens grapple with insecurity and economic hardship.
“Politicians are more preoccupied with securing and retaining power and less concerned with good governance for the common good of the electorate,” the bishops said.
They warned that Nigeria appeared to be “tilting to a one-party state,” citing the suppression of dissent, mass defections, and political realignments that they described as self-serving.
“Many politicians are merely strategising, aligning and realigning, defecting from one party to another; and posturing for future political offices with little or no intention to contribute to the common good,” the communiqué noted.
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Ahead of the 2027 polls, the bishops called for sweeping electoral reforms, including electronic transmission of results directly from polling units and real-time collation to guarantee transparency.
They also urged the judiciary to remain impartial in electoral matters, stressing that public trust in the courts is vital for national stability.
Since Nigeria’s return to civil rule in 1999, its democracy has faced persistent criticism over weak institutions, flawed elections, and the dominance of ruling parties.
Recent political defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and contentious court rulings on election outcomes have intensified concerns about democratic backsliding.
The bishops’ intervention adds to mounting pressure from opposition parties and civil society groups for reforms that will safeguard multiparty competition and protect electoral integrity ahead of 2027.