The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has declared 8 December 2026 a national day of prayer and fasting in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
The announcement was made in a communique issued at the end of the Second Plenary Meeting of the CBCN, which ran from 10 to 18 September 2026 at the Our Lady and St. Kizito Pastoral Centre in Oke‑Gada, Ede, Osogbo Diocese, Osun State. The communique was read to reporters by the conference president, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso.
In the communique, the bishops called on all dioceses and parishes to carry out civic education and mobilisation, and to organise Rosary processions from October through December 2026. They urged eligible voters to “throng out en masse” to elect qualified representatives and to support a free, fair and credible election.
“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. We announce that 8 December 2026 will be observed as a special and national day for prayer and fasting for the success of the elections,” the letter states.
The communique also addressed broader social concerns. It criticised the use of poverty as a tool of control, demanded more job creation and support for local businesses, and called for a holistic approach to decentralising the police to tackle violence, kidnapping, banditry and illegal mining. The bishops warned against the passage of the Foreign Aid Bill 2026, arguing that it could undermine the rights of non‑profit organisations and religious freedom.
Overall, the CBCN’s pastoral letter stresses the importance of civic engagement and social responsibility as the country heads toward the upcoming elections.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
