The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, has issued a strong and uncompromising charge to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging the electoral body to deliver clean, transparent and credible elections in 2027 “by whatever means necessary.”
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Speaking during a public lecture titled “Democracy on Trial: The Future of Nigeria’s Electoral Integrity” in Sokoto on Thursday, February 12, 2026, Bishop Kukah warned that repeated failures in electoral integrity could leave Nigeria isolated and stranded while the rest of Africa advances in democratic maturity.
“INEC must understand that the eyes of the nation and the world are on you. You cannot afford another 2023. Conduct credible polls by whatever means necessary. If technology fails, use manual methods with iron-clad safeguards. If people want to rig, let them face the full weight of the law. But Nigeria must not fail again.”
“Democracy is not just about voting it is about trust. When trust collapses, violence follows. We have seen it before. We must not see it again in 2027.”
“The rest of Africa is moving forward Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Zambia have all conducted elections that were largely accepted. Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind because a few powerful people want to cling to power through crooked means.”
“INEC, you have the mandate of the Constitution and the trust of the people. Do not trade that trust for money, pressure or political favours. History will not forgive you.”
Bishop Kukah also criticised what he called “the commercialization of politics,” warning that vote-buying, godfatherism and judicial compromise are turning elections into “auctions” rather than contests of ideas.
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He called for:
Full implementation of real-time electronic transmission of results with no discretionary fallback.
Strict enforcement of campaign finance limits.
Protection of electoral officials from intimidation and inducement.
Independent forensic audits of election materials and results.
The lecture drew a large audience including political leaders, civil society groups, youth activists, religious leaders and international observers. The bishop’s remarks have since gone viral, with many Nigerians describing them as “timely, courageous and prophetic.”
By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
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