Catholic Bishops Blast Lawmakers for Vote Rigging, Falling Voter Turnout, and Ignoring Citizens Amid Rising Insecurity, Mass Killings, and Economic Sabotage

~ Cardinal Onaiyekan Says Nigerians No Longer Represented, Warns Democracy in Danger

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Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, has delivered a sharp rebuke of Nigeria’s lawmakers, warning that citizens are losing confidence in their elected representatives.

Speaking on ARISE TV Prime Time, Onaiyekan said, “We are no longer sure our representatives in the National Assembly represent we the people. The priorities they set and the decisions they take do not show that they represent us.”

He stressed that the Catholic bishops are not seeking political power but are compelled to speak out on behalf of Nigerians, saying, “Nigeria’s bishops have no intention of taking over the government; we are simply speaking for the people and speaking truth to power.”

His comments reflect the conclusions of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) First Plenary Meeting 2026 in Abuja, where the bishops highlighted insecurity, economic mismanagement, and electoral malpractice as major threats to the country’s democracy and the common good.

Onaiyekan’s warning comes amid falling voter turnout, widespread vote rigging, and weak safeguards, which the bishops say are eroding public trust in the political system. They are calling for real-time transmission of election results from polling units to prevent interference and restore confidence in the democratic process.

The bishops also decried the ongoing insecurity and terrorism that continue to devastate communities, urging the government to strengthen intelligence gathering, adopt modern surveillance technologies, and prosecute terrorists effectively.

They condemned economic sabotage, illegal mining, overdependence on imports, and corruption that undermine development and the welfare of citizens, stressing that leadership must prioritize the common good over personal or sectional interests.

“We are simply speaking for the people and speaking truth to power,” Onaiyekan reiterated, emphasizing that the Church’s role is to defend human dignity, accountability, and moral governance.

The CBCN continues to urge all Nigerians to participate responsibly in governance, demand accountability, and insist that leaders serve the nation rather than themselves.