Catholic Bishops Caution Tinubu Government Against One Party Drift

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria has warned President Bola Tinubu’s administration against policies and practices that could steer the country toward a one-party system.

The warning came in a communiqué released on Friday at the close of the bishops’ plenary meeting in Akwa Ibom State. The document was signed by Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, CBCN President, and Bishop Donatus Ogun, Secretary.

The bishops expressed concern that the political class has become more focused on power struggles ahead of the 2027 elections than on governance. They said politicians are abandoning their duties in pursuit of personal ambitions, while ordinary citizens continue to face mounting challenges.

They also highlighted what they described as a worrying suppression of opposition voices, warning that Nigeria appears to be tilting toward a one-party state — a situation they called unhealthy for democracy.

The clerics criticised the frequent defections and political realignments dominating the political space, arguing that such moves are largely self-serving and show little concern for the welfare of Nigerians.

Looking ahead to 2027, they called for sweeping electoral reforms, including electronic transmission of results directly from polling units and real-time collation to guarantee transparency. They also stressed that judicial neutrality in election matters is essential to restore public trust in the courts and safeguard stability.

Since Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999, civil society groups and opposition parties have often accused ruling governments of weakening institutions and stifling dissent. The bishops said reforms are necessary to strengthen multiparty competition and protect electoral integrity in the years ahead.