Poor Leadership to Blame for Nigeria’s Hardship, Catholic Bishop Says, Urges Politicians to Uphold Christian Values

Yola, 21 October, 2025 / 3:43 PM

Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza of Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Yola has blamed the ongoing economic and social hardship in the country on poor leadership, accusing politicians of neglecting their responsibilities in favour of personal ambition as the 2027 general elections approach.

Speaking to ACI Africa on the sidelines of the celebration of the 2025 World Mission Sunday held at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Bishop Mamza lamented that the political class has failed to deliver the dividends of democracy, leaving only a few Nigerians comfortable while the vast majority continue to struggle.

“There is no work being done in Nigeria now. All politicians are actually lying or decamping; the platform on which they were elected no longer matters. There is no longer a party in Nigeria, only a platform to win elections,” Bishop Mamza said during the October 19 interview. 

He noted that many elected officials have shifted their focus from governance to political manoeuvring, describing the trend as a betrayal of the people’s trust. 

“The work that the politicians are supposed to do for the people, they are not doing. People are suffering, and only a select few are comfortable in Nigeria today,” he added.

The Nigerian Catholic Bishop urged Nigerian politicians to return to the path of service and repentance, warning that every leader would give an account of their stewardship before God. 

“Either as a president, a minister, a governor, a local government chairman, or even as an appointee, you must give an account on the last day to God on how you have treated Nigerians when you were in leadership,” he said.

The Catholic Church leader emphasized that politicians must view their political engagement as a vocation of service, not an avenue for self-enrichment.

 “My call to all politicians, especially Christians, is that they reflect on their call as Christians. They are not there only to offer service as politicians but to serve in truth and justice guided by faith,” he said.

According to Bishop Mamza, the decay in governance stems largely from the failure of leaders to live by the moral values of their faith. 

He challenged Christian politicians to recognize that their faith should define their politics.

“We want politicians who are truly committed Christians. You are a Christian first before becoming a politician. And if you behave that way, everything that you do will be influenced by your Christian faith,” he said.

The Local Ordinary of Yola Diocese, who doubles as the Chairman of Mission and Dialogue Commission of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), expressed disappointment that some Christian politicians fail to live up to the ethical expectations of their faith once in office.

“Some people say they have not actually lived up to expectations, and I understand their concerns. But individual commitment is between the person and their conscience,” he said.

Bishop Mamza added, “We must all take responsibility for our actions. The problem is that many of our leaders have lost that sense of accountability before God and before the people.”

He called for hope and perseverance among Nigerians, insisting that transformation is possible if citizens and leaders embrace repentance. 

“Every Christian must be a missionary of repentance, beginning from their own hearts. If we all live according to the Gospel, our society will change,” he said.

The Nigerian Catholic Church leader further urged Nigerian leaders to put the welfare of citizens above their personal ambitions. 

He said that leadership should be seen as a sacred duty to promote justice, peace, and the common good. 

“Our leaders must understand that power is a responsibility, not a privilege. They were elected to serve, not to enrich themselves,” Bishop Mamza said.