The Catholic Diocese of Jalingo has launched an initiative to tackle election irregularities and promote credible democratic processes ahead of the 2027 general elections in Taraba State.
The program was unveiled during the 22nd Biennial General Assembly held in Jalingo, where Church leaders expressed concerns 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, stressed the importance of collaboration between religious and state institutions to ensure transparent governance.
Hammawa noted that while the Church and State are constitutionally separate, both 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 aimed at endorsing political parties or candidates but ensuring that electoral processes in Taraba State are credible, fair, and just.
He reiterated that the Church would remain non-partisan while educating and mobilizing 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 urged Church members 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, called for 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 ensure peaceful and credible elections without compromising the Church’s independence.
Gotan also emphasized promoting 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 Jolly Nyame Kona, Augustine Vankani, and representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), commended the Church’s initiative, expressing optimism that it would strengthen democratic processes ahead of 2027.
Governor Agbu Kefas State Government, Chief Gibon Kataps, also praised 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 reflect the mandate of the people of Taraba State.