Catholic Secretariat Urges Nigerians To Shun Ethnic Politics Ahead Of 2027

The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) has urged Nigerians to place competence, integrity, character and track record above ethnic considerations when choosing political leaders in the 2027 general elections.

The Secretary-General of the CSN and Chaplain of St Gabriel Catholic Chaplaincy, Durumi, Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo, made the call during a Holy Mass held as part of activities marking the chaplaincy’s patronal feast of St Gabriel the Archangel.

The celebrations will culminate on September 29, the liturgical feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.

Banjo said the presence of worshippers from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds at the Mass demonstrated that Nigeria’s diversity could coexist without becoming a source of division.

“Today we wear different cultural attires and speak different languages, but we gather around one altar and receive the same Eucharist,” he said.

He cautioned against ethnic favouritism, cliques and the tendency to defend wrongdoing simply because the person involved belongs to one’s ethnic group.

According to him, the principle of unity expressed in the national anthem should also guide Nigerians in their political and civic responsibilities.

“Our many tribes and tongues should add colour to the Nigerian family, not become walls that divide us,” he said.

Linking the message to the 2027 elections, the priest urged voters to scrutinise the records and capacity of candidates rather than allowing ethnic identity to determine their choices.

He said voters should ask questions about the candidates’ previous records, their ability to manage public resources, understanding of the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians and the practicality of their proposed solutions.

“Before you vote, ask: What has this person done? Can this person be trusted with public resources? Does this person understand what ordinary Nigerians are going through? Does this person have credible ideas for reducing hardship and improving people’s lives?” Banjo said.

He warned against allowing ethnic loyalty to override these considerations, noting that the challenges facing Nigerians cut across ethnic and linguistic boundaries.

“Do not allow tribe to answer these questions for you. Hunger does not know your tribe. Unemployment does not know your language. Insecurity does not ask where you come from,” he said.

Banjo also linked responsible citizenship to the Gospel reading from Matthew 21:28-32, in which a father sends his two sons to work in his vineyard.

He said the vineyard could be understood not only as the Church but also as the wider society, where Christians have a responsibility to contribute to addressing social challenges.

He said participation in the electoral process was one of the ways Christians could contribute to the transformation of society.

For the priest, the Christian commitment to God should therefore extend beyond worship to responsible citizenship, including making informed choices at the ballot box.

“This is one of the ways we can express our ‘yes’ to God,” he said.