The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address growing concerns among Christians over their place in the country following the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa on Tuesday, CBCN President Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso said many Christians feel excluded and called for deliberate policies to reassure them of equal rights and inclusion.
“This is a time when many Christians have legitimate concerns about their place in Nigeria,” the bishops said, urging the President to take steps to “soothe frayed nerves” and reinforce constitutional protections.
Beyond religious concerns, the bishops warned of a shrinking political space and cautioned against Nigeria drifting toward a one-party state. They stressed the need for fairness and a level playing field for all political actors ahead of the 2027 general elections.
They also raised concerns about declining public trust in the electoral process, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure free, fair, and credible elections, starting with easy access to Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
“Anything short of credible elections in 2027 would be an invitation to avoidable disaster,” they warned.
On security, the bishops acknowledged recent successes, including the rescue of kidnapped victims in Oyo State, but described them as isolated. They noted that insecurity, ranging from terrorism to kidnapping, continues to threaten lives, with schools, homes, and highways remaining unsafe.
They also highlighted worsening economic hardship, citing poor infrastructure, erratic power supply, and rising living costs, adding that many Nigerians have yet to feel the impact of the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Our nation is bleeding. The citizens are suffering,” the bishops said, calling for concrete action.
The conference, however, commended the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) but expressed concern over restrictions on establishing new private universities, warning it could limit access to higher education.
They also called for equal protection of religious freedom nationwide, referencing a recent Supreme Court ruling affirming Muslim students’ rights and urging similar protections for Christians, particularly in northern Nigeria.
Additionally, the bishops appealed for the return of mission schools to their original owners and invited President Tinubu to facilitate a visit by Pope Leo XIV to Nigeria to promote peace and unity.
