Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has urged Nigerian Catholics to take active part in politics, warning that staying away from public affairs could create room for people without strong moral principles to take control of government.
Fayemi made the call on Saturday while speaking at a plenary session 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 should not avoid politics because of the perception that it is a corrupt or “dirty” profession.
He maintained that Catholic teachings require members of the Church to contribute to the social and political development of society by bringing values of justice, accountability, peace and the common good into public service.
“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,” Fayemi said.
The former governor stressed that political participation should go beyond voting during elections, urging citizens to contest elective positions, join political parties, monitor elections, educate voters and demand accountability from elected officials.
He cautioned Catholics against allowing ethnicity, religious sentiments, financial interests, political patronage or blind loyalty to political parties to determine their choices during the 2027 elections.Fayemi urged voters to assess candidates and their policies based on issues including human dignity, justice, security, peace, development and the common good.
He also encouraged eligible citizens to register, obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and participate in voter education and election monitoring, stressing the need to protect democratic institutions and promote credible electoral processes.
The former governor called on the Catholic Church to strengthen political education and capacity-building for members interested in public office.
He proposed structured training in Catholic social teaching, constitutional provisions, electoral regulations, democratic governance, leadership ethics, public policy, human rights, media literacy and election monitoring.
Fayemi further urged the Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria (CYON) to organise programmes to educate young people on issues including vote buying, voter apathy and electoral violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
