Catholic Diocese of Jalingo, has commenced a move aimed at addressing election irregularities and promoting credible democratic processes ahead of the 2027 general elections in Taraba State.
The initiative was unveiled at the 22nd Biennial General Assembly held in Jalingo, where Church leaders expressed concern over flawed electoral processes, which they said have negatively impacted society before, during, and after elections.
Speaking at the event themed “Church-State Partnership for Credible Election in Taraba,” the Bishop of Jalingo Diocese, Charles M. Hammawa, emphasized the need for collaboration between religious and state institutions to ensure transparent governance.
Hammawa clarified that while there is a constitutional separation between Church and State, both institutions can work together to promote peaceful coexistence and meaningful development.
“While working with the clear understanding that there is separation of Church and State, the fact is also clear that both can collaborate to enhance peaceful living and societal development. This includes elections that bring about government, which are sadly more often questionable, contentious, and flawed than free and fair in our experience in Nigeria,” he said.
According to the Bishop, the partnership is not about endorsing political parties or candidates but about ensuring that electoral processes in Taraba State are credible, fair, and just.
He reiterated that the Church would not engage in partisan politics but would continue to educate and mobilize its members on their civic rights and responsibilities, in line with Catholic Social Teaching.
“The Church is not involved in partisan politics, but it has a critical mission of educating and mobilizing her faithful and all people on their political rights, duties, and responsibilities. It is about challenging government agencies saddled with the responsibility of conducting elections to do so fairly and justly, without fear or favour,” Hammawa added.
The Bishop also called on members of the Church and the wider public to promote unity, resist ethnic and religious divisions, and strengthen legitimate institutions for societal progress.
In a paper presentation, the Vicar General of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jos, Cletus T. Gotan, recommended the outright rejection of vote-buying, describing it as a betrayal of dignity and the future.
“We must intensify voter education at the grassroots. We must reject vote-buying. It is a betrayal of dignity and the future. The Church must remain non-partisan but never morally silent. Though we do not endorse candidates, we must boldly preach integrity, justice, and accountability,” Gotan said.
He further advocated principled collaboration between the Church, electoral bodies, security agencies, and civil society groups to promote peaceful and credible elections without compromising the Church’s independence.
Gotan also stressed the need to promote inter-religious harmony in the diverse state and urged youths not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of electoral violence.
Participants at the assembly, including former Taraba State governor, Jolly Nyame, the Kuru Kona, Augustine Vankani, and representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), commended the Church for the initiative, expressing optimism that it would strengthen democratic processes ahead of 2027.
Governor Agbu Kefas, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Gibon Kataps, also lauded the Catholic Church’s vision to help redefine governance in the state.
Kefas pledged the state government’s commitment to supporting free, fair, credible, and transparent democratic processes that would deliver on the mandate of the people of Taraba State.
2027: Catholic Church vows to end election irregularities, seeks credible processes in Taraba
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