A significant dispute has emerged between a leading religious body and Nigeria's electoral authority regarding the credibility of the country's 2023 general elections.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has issued a strong condemnation of the electoral process, asserting that pervasive irregularities and technical failures have critically damaged public trust in democracy. The group's president, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, voiced these concerns during a meeting with congregants in Akwa Ibom State.
Archbishop Ugorji characterized the nation as struggling on multiple fronts, identifying corruption as a primary cause of its problems. He further alleged that current politicians are already focusing on the 2027 elections rather than addressing their existing pledges to the electorate, suggesting the country requires urgent change to avoid a potential crisis.
The clergy leader called for comprehensive electoral reforms, specifically recommending the implementation of real-time electronic transmission of results and amendments to protect the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from political influence.
In a prompt response, INEC firmly rejected the bishops' criticism. Through a statement from its Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, the commission labeled the assessment as "unfair" and defended the integrity of the 2023 polls, stating they represented one of the best conducted in Nigeria's history and were in substantial compliance with the law.
The commission challenged the CBCN to provide verifiable proof of any rigging, stating that the religious body lacked the necessary evidence to make a credible determination on the election's outcome.
This public disagreement underscores the ongoing national debate about electoral integrity and the pressing calls for reform ahead of future elections in Nigeria.
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