By PHILOMINA ATTAH

The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) has urged Nigerians to reject political apathy and elect credible, competent leaders regardless of religion or ethnicity.

Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo, CSN Secretary-General, made the call on Friday in Abuja at the close of the 2026 Annual General Meeting of the Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC).

The meeting, organised by the Department of Church and Society, had the theme: “Towards the 2027 General Elections: The Imperatives of JDPC Participation and Civic Engagement.”

Banjo urged Nigerians to prioritise leaders committed to the common good, competence and integrity instead of ethnic and religious considerations.

“We are not here to tell you to vote or not vote for a particular person, but to emphasise that we must avoid the politics of ethnicity and religion.

“What if a candidate is a Christian or Muslim but unable to deliver? What we need is someone who can move this country forward.

“Someone who truly believes in leadership as service, not self-service,” Banjo said.

He described growing public disillusionment as the greatest threat to Nigeria’s democracy, warning that voter apathy only enables poor governance.

Banjo said the JDPC had introduced a Five-Pillar Framework to restore public confidence and strengthen civic engagement before the 2027 general elections.

“To restore public confidence in the electoral system, the JDPC is proposing a Five-Pillar Framework to guide civic engagement ahead of the 2027 polls.

“We must encourage eligible voters to register and participate peacefully in the electoral process and there is a need to advocate swift and transparent judicial processes for election petitions.

“We also demand strict compliance with the Electoral Act and transparent result management by INEC,” he said.

Banjo urged citizens to reject vote-buying, hate speech and misinformation.

“The Church will continue to provide moral guidance and civic education through its structures,” he stressed.

Also speaking, Caritas Nigeria Executive Director, Rev. Fr. Peter Audu, said the organisation would deploy enhanced technology and observers to more than 170,000 polling units.

Audu urged stronger collaboration among Civil Society Organisations to deepen democratic trust and promote transparent electoral practices before the 2027 elections.

“We are not going to work in silos. We network with other civil society organisations.

“It is time for us to work together to transform Nigeria’s democratic process,” he said.

He commended media practitioners, development partners, diocesan directors and delegates for supporting efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

Also, CSN National Director of Communications, Rev. Fr. Michael Umoh, said the Catholic Church should not be viewed as a political party or opposition group.

“Whatever is to be overturned in our minds is to overturn evil for good through more civic formation.

“The Church must educate citizens on their civic responsibilities, not partisan politics,” he said.

The commission appealed to INEC to remain professional and urged the judiciary to deliver electoral justice courageously.

It also called on security agencies to remain neutral during elections. (NAN)

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