2023 Election: Catholic Bishops Advice Nigerians Leaders To Elect

With the 2023 general elections by the corner, Catholic Bishops have advised Nigerians leaders to elect.

The advice is coming specifically from Catholic Bishops of the Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province.

They gave the advice in a communiqué after their conference at Ibadan, Oyo State today..

The communique which was made available by Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye, credits the Catholic bishops as advising Nigerians to vote only true patriots and servants of the people.

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Not only that, whoever should lead the country, they added, must be responsive to the security and welfare needs of all Nigerians without discrimination.

“We Bishops fully identify with the suffering and pains of all Nigerians over these years, while enduring numerous threats to security of life and property, crippling economic downturn and bad political leadership.

“We therefore urge all eligible Nigerians to secure their Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) and vote in the elections according to their conscience, without fear, to secure their own future and that of their children,” the communiqué, signed by the President, Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin and Secretary, Most Rev. John Oyejola, said.

The Eagle reports that the Catholic Bishops couldn’t have spoken at a better time than now,  with the country closer to election, and given its theme of  “Nigeria: Now is the time of Grace”.

In attendance were Bishops from Ekiti, Oyo and Osogbo, the Ibadan, Ilorin, Ondo dioceses and archdioceses respectively.

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Decrying the spates of insecurity in the country, the Catholic Bishops condemned the recent murder of a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Minna, Rev. Fr. Isaac Achi as an indication that insecurity was still a challenge in the country.

“Nigerians have a right to enjoy free and safe movement wherever they live and go and it is the sacred duty of government to make this possible.

“It is never too late to do the right thing, because adequate security of life will have an impact on the integrity of the forthcoming general elections,” the bishops said.