The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take urgent and decisive steps to guarantee free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.
Kukah made the appeal on Thursday while chairing the Leadership Annual Conference and Award 2025 in Abuja.
The conference, themed “Political Stability and Sustainable Development in Africa in an Increasingly Unstable Global System: A Roadmap for Nigeria,” examined governance challenges and Africa’s role in a rapidly shifting global order.
‘Africa Will Not Wait for Nigeria’
The cleric stressed the need to resolve lingering disputes surrounding the Electoral Act, warning that the rest of Africa would not wait indefinitely for Nigeria to put its democratic house in order.
“By God, by whatever means, give us clean and credible elections,” Kukah declared, urging INEC to ensure that election outcomes genuinely reflect the will of the people.
He cautioned that Nigeria’s democratic credibility is crucial not only for national stability but also for Africa’s broader development trajectory.
“The rest of Africa will not wait for us,” he said, warning that delays and controversies over election results could weaken Nigeria’s leadership position on the continent.
Global Competition and Africa’s Future
Kukah also drew attention to intensifying global geopolitical tensions, noting that Africa is once again becoming a focal point in the struggle among major powers, particularly over critical minerals.
He warned that while powerful nations reposition themselves economically and strategically, Africa risks being reduced to a theatre of competition.
“The powerful nations are insisting that our land will become the theatre of their conquest as they search for minerals,” he said.
According to Kukah, discussions in global capitals increasingly revolve around securing critical minerals essential for manufacturing and industrial growth, placing Africa at the centre of renewed geopolitical interests.
Dialogue and Leadership
He described the conference as a platform for honest reflection on Nigeria’s political stability and sustainable development in an increasingly unstable global system.
“This conference is about Nigeria — where we are, what we’ve learned, and where we’re going,” Kukah said.
He emphasised that national progress requires collaboration among government, the private sector, civil society and citizens, stressing that leadership and dialogue remain central to Nigeria’s advancement.
As Nigeria prepares for future elections, Kukah’s message was clear: credible polls are fundamental to strengthening democracy and securing the country’s place in Africa’s development roadmap.
