Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has called on Nigerian Catholics to take an active role in politics rather than distance themselves from the political process because of the belief that politics is a “dirty game.”
Fayemi made the call while speaking at the plenary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at Our Lady and St. Kizito Pastoral Centre, Oke-Gada, Ede, Osun State.
Speaking on the theme, “Faith in Action: Empowering the Catholic Laity for Active Political Participation Ahead of the 2027 General Elections,” the former governor said Christians have a responsibility to bring their values into public life and contribute to the promotion of justice, accountability and the common good.
He warned that withdrawing from politics could allow people who do not share the same commitment to those values to occupy positions of authority.
Fayemi stressed that political participation should not be limited to voting, saying citizens should also consider contesting elections, joining political parties, monitoring elections, educating voters and demanding accountability from elected officials.
“Public office is too serious to be left to people who have no fear of God. When serious Catholics committed to the ideals of social justice and the common good turn away from politics, we open the door for unprincipled opportunists to take power,” he said.
The former governor urged Catholics to approach the 2027 general elections with careful consideration, warning them against allowing ethnicity, religion, personal financial interests, political patronage or blind loyalty to political parties to influence their decisions.
He advised voters to evaluate candidates and their political programmes based on issues including human dignity, justice, peace, security, development and the common good.
Fayemi also encouraged eligible Catholics to register to vote and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), while actively participating in voter education, election monitoring and initiatives aimed at strengthening democratic institutions.
He said the Catholic Church should prioritise political education and leadership formation, noting that simply encouraging members to participate in politics without preparing them for public service would not be enough.
According to him, political formation programmes should expose participants to Catholic social teaching, the Nigerian Constitution, electoral laws, democratic governance, leadership ethics, public policy, human rights, media literacy and election monitoring.
Fayemi, who previously served as Minister of Solid Minerals Development, also called on the Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria (CYON) to organise programmes that would educate young people about the dangers of vote buying, voter apathy and electoral violence.
Source: CBCN
