The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria has warned President Bola Tinubu that Nigeria’s democracy is under increasing strain, with fears growing that the country is gradually drifting towards a one-party state.
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The warning was delivered on Tuesday by the newly elected President of the CBCN, Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, who led a delegation of Catholic bishops to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, for a meeting with the President on the state of the nation.
Speaking on behalf of the bishops, Ndagoso said many Nigerians were worried about what they considered the shrinking of the political space, the weakening of opposition parties and the growing pressure on democratic institutions.
He said the concerns had created widespread suspicion that Nigeria’s hard-won democracy was being steadily eroded.
The Archbishop reminded Tinubu of his own pro-democracy credentials, particularly his role in the struggle against military dictatorship in the 1990s, which forced him into exile.
According to him, many Nigerians now find it troubling that the democratic ideals for which the President once fought appear to be under pressure under his administration.
“Many voices are screaming over what they consider to be the constriction of the political space,” Ndagoso said, adding that many citizens believe Nigeria is gradually being steered towards a one-party state.
The bishops told Tinubu that only his actions, and not mere assurances, would convince Nigerians that the fears were unfounded.
They urged the President to rein in officials of the ruling All Progressives Congress, including governors, members of the National Assembly and local government chairmen, stressing that the ruling party must demonstrate respect for democratic values, political pluralism and the rule of law.
Ndagoso said Tinubu’s enduring legacy should not be the weakening of opposition parties, but the strengthening of democratic institutions capable of outliving any government.
The Catholic leaders also warned that the perceived narrowing of political competition could further damage public confidence in future elections.
They expressed concern over declining voter participation, saying many Nigerians had become disillusioned with the electoral process because they no longer believe that their votes count.
To restore confidence, the bishops called for adequate funding and genuine institutional independence for the Independent National Electoral Commission ahead of the 2027 general elections.
They insisted that the next elections must be free, fair, transparent and credible, warning that any process lacking integrity would deepen public cynicism and pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic stability.
Beyond politics, the bishops also raised alarm over the country’s worsening security and economic conditions.
They lamented persistent attacks by terrorists, bandits and other armed groups on schools, churches, farming communities and major highways, saying many of the attacks had occurred without swift or decisive response from the authorities.
The delegation also expressed concern over the rising cost of living, worsening economic hardship and the crisis in the electricity sector, which they described as nearing collapse.
Ndagoso further raised the issue of religious freedom, particularly the security challenges confronting Christian communities in parts of northern Nigeria.
He said Nigeria’s political, economic and security challenges were deeply connected, warning that when democratic space is weakened, citizens and institutions find it more difficult to hold government accountable.
The bishops urged the Federal Government to take urgent and decisive steps to rebuild public trust, strengthen democratic institutions, protect political competition, address insecurity and tackle the economic hardship affecting citizens.
They warned that failure to confront these issues could further threaten Nigeria’s unity, stability and democratic future.
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