The Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, has urged Nigerian youths to stay away from political violence and refuse to be used as thugs by politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Tuesday at the opening of the 15th Anglican Chancellors, Registrars and Legal Officers Conference (ACRLOC) in Abuja, Ndukuba warned that politicians often exploit young people for violent activities while keeping their own children away from such dangers.
“I want to encourage our young people never to serve as thugs for any politician because what they will not send their own children to do, they are sending our young people to do. They give them money for drugs. We want our young people to shun every form of thuggery and violence,” he said.
The Anglican leader also encouraged Christians across the country to become actively involved in politics by registering with political parties and participating in the selection of candidates, stressing that politics influences every aspect of national development.
According to him, meaningful change can only happen when responsible citizens take part in the political process instead of remaining on the sidelines.
Ndukuba stressed that credible elections would remain difficult to achieve unless political parties embrace internal democracy and transparency in choosing their candidates.
He criticised the influence of political godfathers and money politics, warning that such practices continue to weaken Nigeria’s democratic system.
“If there is no justice in the choice of party leaders internally, there is no way we can suddenly wake up and have a credible election. A situation where there is always a godfather or politics of the money bags cannot help our nation,” he said.
The Primate further appealed to politicians to focus on issue-based campaigns rather than violence and intimidation during electioneering.
“This is not a do-or-die affair. Let us play politics with a human face. Let campaigns be based on issues so that when leaders are elected, Nigerians will know what to hold them accountable for,” he added.
He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and Nigerians to work together to protect the integrity of future elections, expressing optimism that the proposed state police would strengthen election security across the country.
Beyond the 2027 elections, Ndukuba reflected on the outcome of the March 2026 GAFCON G26 Conference held in Abuja, describing it as a landmark event for global Anglicanism.
He said the conference produced the Abuja Affirmation and formally inaugurated the Global Anglican Communion (GAC), marking what he described as a major shift in Anglican leadership.
According to him, the new body places greater emphasis on the Jerusalem Declaration as the foundation of Anglican identity rather than recognition from the See of Canterbury in England.
Also speaking at the conference, the Registrar of the Church of Nigeria, Mrs. Kehinde Ajoni, urged church legal officers to uphold integrity, honesty and accountability in carrying out their responsibilities.
She warned against using legal loopholes or unethical practices to conceal wrongdoing within the Church, stressing that legal officers must remain committed to truth, justice and transparency.
