Catholic Bishops in Nigeria Announce Nationwide Prayer and Fasting Campaign Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has called for a nationwide campaign of prayer and fasting ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to a CBCN statement reported by Voice of Nigeria, the statement was signed by President Most Reverend Matthew Ndagoso and Secretary Most Reverend Peter Odetoyinbo. Apex News Exclusive also reported the statement, describing Ndagoso as Archbishop and Odetoyinbo as Bishop.

The bishops named electoral violence, rigging, vote-buying, and ethnic and religious divisions as major challenges. Apex News Exclusive reported that the bishops urged Nigerians to seek divine guidance against violence, vote-buying and rigging, and to reject political violence, corruption, tribalism, bribery and voter apathy. They called on citizens to protect votes through lawful and peaceful means, a call to honest dealing (Proverbs 11:1).

The campaign is themed “Let Justice and Peace Flow,” which the reports say is rooted in Amos 5:24. The CBCN set four dates for the spiritual exercise: October 31, 2026, November 28, 2026, December 8, 2026, and January 15, 2027. Voice of Nigeria described the October 31 and November 28 dates as nationwide parish prayer days, while Apex News Exclusive described them as nationwide parish days of prayer and fasting featuring Holy Mass, the Rosary and religious processions.

According to Voice of Nigeria, parish prayer days will include fasting, the Rosary, a procession where possible, Holy Mass, and the CBCN Prayer for the 2027 general election. Both reports describe December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, as a nationwide diocesan day of prayer. Voice of Nigeria said Holy Mass for the diocesan celebration begins at 3 p.m., and a rosary procession starts at 4:30 p.m. and proceeds to the Cathedral. Apex News Exclusive said the day would conclude with a Rosary procession and Eucharistic Benediction. The reports do not conflict on the procession itself, but Voice of Nigeria gives the timing and route, while Apex News Exclusive gives the closing rites.

January 15, 2027, is to be another nationwide day of prayer and fasting as the country prepares for the elections, according to Apex News Exclusive. Voice of Nigeria said the CBCN has scheduled nationwide prayer activities for that date.

Voice of Nigeria reported that the CBCN’s forthcoming Pastoral Letter, “2027 Elections: Call to Responsible Choice and Action,” will be read during the diocesan celebration on December 8.