Catholic Bishops Tell Tinubu Christians Feel Marginalised, Warn Against One-Party State Ahead of 2027

Nigeria’s Catholic bishops have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address growing concerns among Christians over inclusion in his administration, warning that many faithful feel uncertain about their place in the country following the end of the Christian-Muslim presidential arrangement.

The concerns were raised during a courtesy visit by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) to the Presidential Villa on Tuesday. Speaking on behalf of the conference, CBCN President, Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, called on the Federal Government to adopt policies that reassure Christians of their equal rights as citizens.

According to the bishops, while they value Nigeria’s cordial relationship with the Holy See, many Christians remain uneasy about religious inclusion under the current administration.

“This, Mr. President, is a time when many Christians have legitimate concerns about their place in Nigeria, especially regarding the departure from the Christian/Muslim presidency, and we hope that, through deliberate government policies, those concerns will be addressed and Christians will be reassured of their rights as citizens,” Archbishop Ndagoso said.

The bishops also expressed concern over what they described as a shrinking democratic space, cautioning against any drift toward a one-party state. They acknowledged President Tinubu’s role in Nigeria’s democratic struggle but urged him to ensure political fairness by guaranteeing equal opportunities for all parties and candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

On the electoral process, the conference warned that credible elections remain critical to Nigeria’s stability. The bishops said public confidence in elections has declined, with many citizens believing their votes no longer determine outcomes. They urged the President to ensure the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducts free, fair and transparent elections, beginning with easy access to Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and ending with results that reflect the will of the electorate.

Addressing national security, the CBCN commended the Federal Government for the recent rescue of kidnapped schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State and the arrest of suspected kidnappers. However, it described those achievements as isolated successes, insisting that terrorism, banditry and kidnapping continue to endanger lives, while schools, worship centres, farms and highways remain unsafe across many parts of the country.

The bishops further highlighted the country’s worsening economic hardship, citing insecurity, inadequate electricity supply, poor road infrastructure and the rising cost of living. While acknowledging the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) as a positive initiative, they argued that many Nigerians have yet to experience the promised benefits of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The conference also appealed to President Tinubu to invite Pope Leo XIV to Nigeria, expressing confidence that such a visit would strengthen national efforts toward peace and unity. In addition, the bishops renewed their request for the return of mission schools to their original owners and urged the Federal Government to guarantee equal protection of religious freedom for Christians and Muslims alike, particularly following the Supreme Court’s February 2026 ruling affirming freedom of worship.