Amb. Edith ISIDAHOMEN

 

 

Prominent lay faithful from the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan joined Catholic Bishops, Clergy, Traditional leaders, Scholars and other Church Stakeholders at the interactive session of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) with the prominent laity of the Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Our Lady and St. Kizito Pastoral Centre, Oke-Gada, Ede, Osun State.

 

The session formed part of the Second Plenary Assembly of the CBCN, hosted by the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo from September 10 to 18, 2026, and focused particularly on the role of the Catholic laity in Nigeria’s political and democratic development ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

 

Representing the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan at the gathering were the Pastoral Secretary, Very Rev. Fr. Richard Omolade; the Archdiocesan Laity President, Mr. Olujide Felix; President of the Archdiocese of Ibadan Catholic Men Organization (AICMO), Sir Felix Adoroh; President of the Archdiocese of Ibadan Catholic Women Organization (AICWO), Amb. Edith Isidahomen; President of the Ibadan Archdiocesan Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (IBCYON), Mr. Sylvester Obinna; Mr. John Alamu of GMG CapitalSaige Holdings; Chief Mrs. Otunla, among other prominent members of the Archdiocese.

 

The participation of the Ibadan delegation underscored the Archdiocese's commitment to the Church's mission of forming lay faithful who can bring Christian values to bear on public life, governance and the development of society.

 

 

Addressing the session, the President of the Conference and Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, described politics as a noble profession when pursued in the service of the common good and called for concerted efforts to restore public confidence in Nigeria's electoral process.

 

Archbishop Ndagoso urged political leaders and all stakeholders to ensure that the 2027 General Elections are free, fair and credible, warning against practices capable of undermining democracy.

 

He particularly called on Nigerians to reject vote-buying and vote-selling, political cronyism and the recruitment of citizens as political thugs. He also urged eligible voters to participate actively in the electoral process and encouraged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that voters' cards are readily accessible and that the electoral process produces results that genuinely reflect the will of the people.

 

The CBCN President also referenced the recently concluded Osun State governorship election as a source of cautious optimism, noting that the election had given many Nigerians renewed confidence that votes could count when citizens actively participate and protect the integrity of the process.

 

The major lecture at the interactive session was delivered by former Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, CON, on the theme, “Faith in Action: Empowering the Catholic Laity for Active Political Participation Ahead of the 2027 General Elections.”

 

Fayemi challenged Catholics to reject the widespread perception that politics is inherently a “dirty game” and instead see responsible political participation as an avenue for Christian service and transformation.

 

He warned that when people of principles withdraw from politics, they create space for individuals without similar values to occupy positions of authority.

 

“Public office is too serious to be left to people who have no fear of God,” Fayemi said, stressing that Catholics committed to social justice and the common good must not abandon the political space.

 

According to him, political participation must go beyond voting on Election Day. He encouraged Catholics to consider contesting for elective offices, joining political parties, monitoring elections, educating voters and demanding accountability from elected representatives.

 

The former governor also called for stronger political formation within the Catholic Church, including training in Catholic Social Teachings, constitutional provisions, electoral regulations, democratic governance, leadership ethics, human rights, media literacy and election monitoring.

 

He particularly encouraged the Catholic youth to become more knowledgeable about the dangers of vote-buying, voter apathy and electoral violence ahead of the 2027 elections.

 

Also speaking at the session, the President of the Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province Laity Council, Prof. Francis O. Ibimiluyi, charged Catholic lay faithful to move their Christian convictions beyond the Church and into the public square.

 

Prof. Ibimiluyi argued that authentic Christian faith must find expression in responsible citizenship and active engagement with society. Drawing inspiration from the Year of St. Francis of Assisi, he highlighted values of peace, humility, service and concern for the vulnerable as principles that should guide Christians in public life.

 

He noted that Catholic Social Teaching provides a framework for understanding politics as a legitimate and noble avenue of service when directed towards the common good.

 

The Provincial Laity President further identified voter apathy, political violence, electoral manipulation and vote-buying among the major challenges threatening Nigeria's democratic development.

 

He warned that withdrawal of people of integrity from politics could leave the public space in the hands of individuals driven by selfish interests. He therefore advocated sustained voters’ education at parish and grassroots levels, particularly to help citizens understand the long-term consequences of selling their votes.

 

Prof. Ibimiluyi also called for collaboration among dioceses, academic institutions, traditional institutions and civil society organizations in developing sustainable civic education and political literacy programmes.

 

The active presence of the Ibadan Archdiocesan delegation at the Osogbo session provided a significant platform for the Archdiocese to participate in the national conversation on the responsibility of Catholic lay faithful in strengthening Nigeria's democracy.

 

The official Opening Mass of the Plenary was celebrated on Sunday, September 13, at St. Benedict Catholic Cathedral, Osogbo. The Mass was presided over by the President of the CBCN, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, Archbishop of Kaduna, in the presence of Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops from across Nigeria, as well as priests, religious, traditional rulers, government officials and thousands of the lay faithful.

 

 

In his homily, the host Bishop, Most Rev. John Akinkunmi Oyejola, Bishop of Osogbo, reflected on divine accountability and the sacred responsibility entrusted to those who govern. He challenged political leaders to reject impunity and self-aggrandizement and called for greater accountability in the exercise of public office.

 

“Mercy without justice becomes weakness,” Bishop Oyejola said, stressing that Nigeria cannot rebuild public trust without confronting injustice and ensuring that those entrusted with public responsibilities are held accountable.

 

At the conclusion of the Opening Mass, the Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Michael Ayanleke Banjo, delivered the Vote of Thanks on behalf of the Bishops.

 

Fr. Banjo expressed appreciation to the Bishops, the host Catholic Diocese of Osogbo, clergy, religious and lay faithful, as well as the various individuals and institutions whose contributions facilitated the successful commencement of the plenary assembly.

 

The Opening Ceremony thereafter continued with the formal reception and activities marking the commencement of the Second Plenary Assembly, which is scheduled to run from September 10 to 18, 2026, in the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo. The Secretary General had earlier described the gathering as a period for the Bishops to come together in prayer and deliberation on matters concerning the life of the Church and the nation.

 

Front Picture caption:   Group Photograph of Papal Nuncio to Nigeria, Most Rev. Michael Francis Crotty with Bishops in Nigeria after the Opening Mass for the Second Plenary Assembly celebrated on Sunday, September 13, at St. Benedict Catholic Cathedral, Osogbo.