Laity Council in Nigeria to Launch Nationwide Voter Registration Drive Ahead of 2027 General Elections

Abuja, 28 January, 2026 / 4:19 PM

The Leadership of the Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria (CLCN) has announced plans to launch a nationwide voter registration drive as part of efforts to mobilize Catholics and other Nigerians for active participation in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking to ACI Africa on the sidelines of a press conference which the Laity Council organized, CLCN President, Sir Ambrose Obioha, said the Catholic Church could not remain passive as Nigeria prepares for another election cycle. 

“This initiative is designed to ensure that every eligible Catholic is registered and adequately empowered to assert the right to vote,” Sir Obioha told ACI Africa on Wednesday, January 28.

He added, “Our mission is also to advocate for the proper counting of votes, accurate recording of results, and truthful announcement of electoral outcomes.”

He said the council would work with communities and Parishes to promote transparency and accountability before, during, and after the elections. 

According to him, safeguarding the credibility of the vote remains central to the council’s engagement.

“Nigeria deserves better, and meaningful change begins with our collective participation in the democratic process,” he said.

Sir Obioha made a special appeal to young people, women, and groups that often feel excluded from political processes. 

He urged them to see voting as both a right and a responsibility.

“We call on all Catholics, especially the youth, women, and marginalized communities, to register and exercise their right to vote. Together, we can amplify our voices and help shape the future of our beloved nation,” he said.

The CLCN President outlined four clear steps that Catholics and other Nigerians should take ahead of the elections. 

These include registering to vote, encouraging others within their communities to do the same, participating actively by voting, and holding elected leaders accountable for their promises and actions.

“We urge all Catholics and all Nigerians, first, to register to vote, second, to encourage others in their communities to register, and third, to participate actively by voting in the upcoming elections. Fourth, to hold leaders accountable for their promises and actions,” he said.

Sir Obioha called for national renewal anchored on justice and peace. 

He said democratic participation remains one of the surest paths toward building a fair and inclusive society.

“Together, let us strive to build a better Nigeria, one marked by justice, peace, and equality for all,” Sir Obioha said.

In the January 28 interview, he described the 2027 polls as a defining moment for the nation and urged Catholics to see civic engagement as part of their faith responsibility.

Sir Obioha emphasized that the Catholic Church in Nigeria, with an estimated membership of over 35 million, remains one of the largest stakeholders in the country’s democratic process and must play an active role. 

According to him, silence or indifference would amount to abandoning the nation at a critical time.

“The Catholic Church in Nigeria cannot stand aloof during the electioneering process. That is why we are calling on all Catholics and indeed all Nigerians to take immediate action by ensuring that they register during the ongoing voter registration exercise and also participate fully in voting in 2027,” he said.

Sir Obioha emphasized that voting remains a powerful tool for national change and insisted that every citizen’s vote carries weight. 

He encouraged the lay faithful to go beyond voter registration by engaging more deeply in political activities, including joining political parties and seeking leadership positions.

“As people of faith, we believe that each citizen’s voice is invaluable and that every vote truly matters. We also encourage Catholics not only to register to vote but to join political parties and seek leadership opportunities, because if we do not seek leadership positions, we will not influence the affairs of the country,” he said.

The Member of the Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM) Nigeria linked political participation with the Church’s social teaching, noting that Catholics have a duty to defend justice and human dignity in both religious and public life.

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“As Catholics, we are called not only to uphold justice and human dignity but also to become active agents of change within our communities and our nation,” he said.