The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, has issued a stern call to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure clean and credible elections in Nigeria, warning that democratic missteps could leave the country behind as the rest of Africa advances.
Speaking at the Leadership Annual Conference and Awards 2025 in Abuja, themed “Political Stability and Sustainable Development in Africa in an Increasingly Unstable Global System: A Roadmap for Nigeria,” Kukah emphasised the urgent need to get Nigeria’s electoral process right amid ongoing controversies over the Electoral Act.
“By God, by whatever means, give us clean and credible elections,” he said, drawing applause from participants. He highlighted that Nigeria’s democratic challenges must be addressed to prevent political instability that could undermine Africa’s broader ambitions on the global stage.
Kukah situated the issue within a shifting global order, warning that superpowers are increasingly competing for Africa’s critical minerals while African nations remain largely excluded from key global conversations. He stressed that America and other nations are investing heavily in mining and industrialising around these resources, leaving Africa vulnerable if domestic governance is weak.
“A roadmap to make Africa great again cannot proceed without Nigeria,” Kukah noted, adding that African nations will not wait for Nigeria to resolve its electoral issues. He urged that transparency and integrity must remain central in result transmission to avoid confusion and maintain public trust.
Despite his warnings, Kukah highlighted the importance of dialogue and collaboration, praising the Leadership Conference for fostering solution-driven discussions and recognising resilience, innovation, and service to humanity. “We celebrate excellence, not perfection, commitment, faith, and resilient service to this nation,” he concluded.
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