By Emmanuel Enebeli
ABUJA/Nigeria: The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has issued a stark warning that Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, economic sabotage, and declining trust in the electoral process threaten the nation’s stability unless urgent reforms are implemented.
The warning formed part of a communiqué released at the end of the bishops’ First Plenary Meeting for 2026 held at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria in Abuja from February 19 to 26.
In the statement signed by CBCN President, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji of Owerri, and Secretary, Bishop Donatus Ogun of Uromi, the bishops said Nigeria’s persistent violence, weak governance structures, and flawed political practices were undermining national unity and the common good.
While acknowledging President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a national security emergency and renewed military operations, the bishops lamented the continued wave of killings, displacement, and fear across several parts of the country.
They pointed to recent massacres in communities including Woro and Nuku in Kwara State, where more than 200 persons were reportedly killed, as well as ongoing attacks on farmers, students, and worshippers in the North and Middle Belt.
According to the bishops, insecurity has now reached a point where many citizens can no longer access their farms or conduct normal economic activities.
They called for decisive action, including greater investment in modern surveillance technology and improved intelligence gathering to combat terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping.
The bishops also warned that delays in prosecuting offenders and the reintegration of repentant insurgents into state structures risk eroding public confidence in government’s commitment to justice.
Beyond security, the CBCN raised concerns over economic losses linked to illegal mining and oil theft, noting that proceeds from such activities were often used to finance criminal networks.
They criticised the continued borrowing by government despite Nigeria’s vast mineral wealth, urging authorities to deploy technology such as drones and artificial intelligence to monitor remote mining sites and curb resource theft.
On food security, the bishops cautioned against excessive reliance on imports, urging government instead to support local farmers with security and targeted subsidies.
The conference identified poor leadership and a distorted understanding of politics as major drivers of Nigeria’s challenges.
They warned that when politics is reduced to electoral manipulation and personal gain, governance becomes disconnected from public service.
Expressing deep concern over declining voter turnout — from 23 percent in the 2023 general elections to just seven percent in recent FCT polls — the bishops said the trend raises serious questions about the legitimacy of elected leaders.
They urged the National Assembly to strengthen electoral reforms, particularly through mandatory real-time transmission of results from polling units using the BVAS system.
According to them, restoring trust in elections is essential to safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy.
Despite the grim assessment, the bishops expressed hope that national renewal remains possible through ethical leadership, active citizenship, and a shared commitment to the common good.
They called on Nigerians across religious and social divides to work together in harmony, especially as the Christian Lenten season coincides this year with the Muslim Ramadan.
The CBCN emphasised that national transformation would require collective sacrifice, responsible governance, and leaders committed to justice, integrity, and service.
“A better Nigeria is possible,” the bishops stated, urging citizens and leaders alike to recommit to building a just and peaceful nation.
