Nigerian Church Warns Against Selling the Nation’s Future

A senior Catholic leader in Nigeria has urged citizens to confront the country’s deepening security crisis by rejecting corruption, short term gain, and moral compromise, especially during elections. Speaking during a Christmas season gathering at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Michael Banjo, secretary general of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, warned that peace cannot take root when citizens exchange their future for immediate rewards. He cautioned that voting choices driven by money, ethnicity, or narrow loyalties undermine the common good and fuel long term instability. According to him, the persistence of violence, abductions, and insecurity reflects a deeper moral failure that goes beyond policy gaps. He called on Nigerians to choose leaders marked by integrity, compassion, and accountability, stressing that civic responsibility is inseparable from faith and conscience. Without these foundations, he said, society risks normalizing injustice and perpetuating cycles of fear.

Father Banjo linked the country’s insecurity to a broader culture of dishonesty and exploitation that weakens both governance and daily life. He argued that peace is impossible where power lacks accountability and wealth is pursued without conscience. Acts that appear small, such as electoral bribery or dishonest trade practices, were presented as symptoms of a deeper erosion of values. When truth is sacrificed for convenience, he said, society gradually loses its moral compass. He also expressed concern that Nigeria often responds seriously to violence only after external pressure, calling this a failure of national responsibility. Protecting life, he emphasized, is not a favor granted by government but its primary duty. Every life, regardless of religion or background, carries equal worth. When leaders and citizens alike ignore this principle, insecurity becomes entrenched and trust in institutions continues to erode.

The priest also reflected on peace at the level of families and communities, noting that violence and resentment within homes mirror national disorder. He said forgiveness, respect, and mutual care are essential for restoring stability, beginning in family life and extending outward to society. In his Christmas message, Father Banjo pointed to the season as a call to resist despair and recover hope through concrete choices rooted in faith. Rejoicing amid hardship, he said, does not deny suffering but affirms the belief that renewal is possible. By honoring God through honesty, solidarity, and care for one another, Nigerians can begin to rebuild trust and reclaim their future. The Church’s message, he concluded, is not political instruction but a moral appeal for a nation seeking peace grounded in dignity and responsibility.