What Catholic Bishops Told Tinubu Behind Closed Doors Sparking 2027 Row

The full text of the address delivered by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) to President Bola Tinubu during a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, has revealed that the clerics raised far-reaching concerns about the 2027 general election, insecurity, political inclusion, economic hardship, religious freedom and the continued use of the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.

The document, titled “Partners in Building a Just, Peaceful and Prosperous Nigeria,” was exclusively obtained by LEADERSHIP Sunday and delivered by the CBCN President and Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, during the bishops’ courtesy visit to the president on 28 July.

The letter has sparked fresh political debate, coming weeks after the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) endorsed the continuation of the Tinubu-Shettima Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2027 presidential election.

In the address delivered on Sunday by LEADERSHIP, the bishops urged the President to address what they described as the “legitimate concerns” of Christians about the abandonment of the traditional Christian-Muslim presidential ticket.

Ndagoso told the President that, “We hope that, through deliberate government policies, those concerns will be addressed and that Christians will be reassured of their rights as citizens. We expect you to take steps to soothe frayed nerves and address those concerns.”

While the bishops did not call for a change of the APC’s presidential ticket, they urged the administration to pursue policies that would reassure Christians of equal citizenship and religious inclusion.

Warn Against One-Party State

Beyond the religious question, the bishops cautioned against what they described as the shrinking democratic space and expressed fears that Nigeria could drift towards a one-party state.

The Archbishop reminded Tinubu of his role in the struggle for democracy and urged him to ensure a level playing field for opposition parties.

“As a man who risked so much in the struggle to restore democratic rule in the dark days of military dictatorship, your greatest legacy would be the strengthening of our democratic institutions,” the bishops stated.

They urged the President to encourage APC governors, members of the National Assembly and other elected officials to uphold fairness and democratic principles.

Concern Over 2027 Elections

The CBCN also expressed concern about the integrity of the 2027 general election, warning that declining voter turnout reflected growing public distrust of the electoral process.

The bishops called for easier access to Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), adequate funding for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and election results that accurately reflect the will of voters.

They warned: “Anything short of transparent, free, fair and credible elections in 2027 would be an invitation to an avoidable disaster against which all well-meaning Nigerians have been praying.”

‘Nigeria Is Bleeding’

On insecurity and the economy, the bishops acknowledged recent security successes, including the rescue of kidnapped schoolchildren in Oyo State, but said these gains remained isolated given the magnitude of the nation’s security challenges.

They said terrorists, bandits and kidnappers continue to threaten communities, schools, places of worship, farms and highways across the country.

“Our nation is bleeding. The citizens are suffering and crying,” Ndagoso said, adding that assurances from government officials were no longer sufficient.

“You have said a couple of times that you hear their cries and feel their pain. But words are not enough. They expect concrete action that engenders some change in their condition.”

Mission Schools, Religious Freedom

The bishops also renewed their demand for the return of mission schools to their original owners and urged the Federal Government to guarantee equal religious freedom for Christians nationwide.

They cited a Supreme Court judgment affirming Muslim students’ right to freedom of worship. They called for similar protection for Christians, particularly in northern Nigeria, where they alleged that some communities still face difficulties acquiring land to build churches.

The clerics emphasised that “equal citizenship must be reflected not only in law but also in practice.”

Invitation To Pope Leo XIV

The bishops also requested that President Tinubu formally invite Pope Leo XIV to Nigeria.

According to Ndagoso, the Pope expressed interest in visiting Nigeria during the bishops’ visit to the Vatican in March 2026.

“We request that this be done soon. Our land and its people will benefit immensely from his presence and blessing,” he said.

The bishops further commended the President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for hosting Archbishop Paul Gallagher during events marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See.

Tinubu Defends Administration

Responding, President Tinubu said his administration was overhauling the country’s security architecture through improved intelligence gathering, better welfare for security personnel and expansion of the Armed Forces.

He assured the bishops that terrorism, banditry and kidnapping would be defeated, while urging religious leaders to support efforts to restore peace.

On politics, Tinubu defended Nigeria’s democratic process and insisted that all political actors enjoy equal opportunities.

“Those who would take it from me will try. They will try. All is fair in politics, and there is equal opportunity. I won’t offer them a red carpet,” the President said.

Onaiyekan, Others React

The controversy deepened after Emeritus Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, defended the bishops’ position in an interview, arguing that the issues raised deserved serious attention rather than dismissal.

Onaiyekan also expressed concern about the integrity of the 2027 elections and urged the Presidency to address the bishops’ concerns.

His intervention drew mixed reactions, with supporters arguing that he merely amplified the bishops’ message, while critics accused him of politicising the Church’s position.