The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria has declared December 8 a national day of prayer and fasting for the peaceful and successful conduct of the 2027 general elections.
The decision was announced in a communique issued at the end of the conference’s Second Plenary Meeting, held from 10 to 18 September 2026 at Our Lady and St. Kizito Pastoral Centre in Oke-Gada, Ede, Osun State. Conference president Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso presented the document to journalists in Osogbo.
Bishops called on all dioceses and parishes to organise civic education and mobilisation drives, alongside end-of-month fasting, prayers and Rosary processions from October through December. They urged eligible voters to turn out in large numbers and choose candidates according to their consciences.
“We invite all dioceses and parishes in our nation to embark on civic education, mobilization and end-of-month fasting and prayer with Rosary processions from October to December 2026 in preparation for the elections,” the communique stated. “We announce that 8 December 2026 will be observed as special and national day for prayer and fasting for the success of the elections.”
The conference also pressed all stakeholders to ensure free, fair and credible polls and noted that it has already issued a pastoral letter on the forthcoming elections.
On the economy, the bishops criticised the use of poverty as a tool of control and said many Nigerian families continue to struggle for basic needs. They demanded that federal and state governments create more jobs, support local businesses, ease the financial pressure on the poor and create conditions that encourage private-sector participation. Citizens were urged to engage in honest labour, patronise local enterprises and reject criminality and corruption.
Addressing insecurity, the conference acknowledged government efforts, particularly the move to decentralise the police, but insisted any reorganisation must be comprehensive rather than driven by ethnic considerations. Bishops noted that violence, kidnapping, banditry, illegal mining and the theft of natural resources remain widespread, denying citizens peace and threatening national unity. They called on the authorities to end banditry, reclaim land used for criminal activity and put it to productive use.
The bishops further urged the National Assembly to reject the Foreign Aid Bill 2026. They argued that the proposed legislation would give government officials sweeping discretionary power over humanitarian resources and risk restricting faith-based organisations, churches, mosques and NGOs, which are already regulated under existing laws. Passing the bill, they said, would undermine rights of association and religious freedom.
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