09/05/2026
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF WUKARI END GENERAL ASSEMBLY WITH CELEBRATION CELEBRATION OF 3RD ANNIVERSARY
The Catholic Diocese of Wukari has ended her 3rd General Assembly on 8th March, 2023. The Assembly ended with the celebration of Holy Mass marking the 3rd Anniversary of the er****on of the Diocese presided over by Bishop Mark Maigida Nzukwein.
During the Mass the Diocese issued a communique emanating from discussions on the theme of the Assembly: "The Role Of The Church In The Quest For Political Reform And Good Governance In Nigeria"
The Communique which was co-signed by the Bishop Most Revd Mark Maigida Nzukwein and the Chancellor of the Diocese, Very Revd Fr Simon Akuraga addresses the role of the Church in the pursuit of good governance; Civic Responsibility through Political participation; political leadership and the necessity for electoral reforms in order to guarantee credible elections in Nigeria. The Diocese also strongly appealed to the Taraba State Government to see to the return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) back to their communities so as to mitigate the negative effects of the attacks they have suffered since September, 2023 by Fulani Ethnic Militia in Donga and Takum Local Government Areas.
The Communique reads:
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 3RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF WUKARI HELD AT ST MARY CATHEDRAL HALL, WUKARI, TARABA STATE, NIGERIA, 4TH – 8TH MAY, 2026.
PREAMBLE
We, the Bishop, Priests, Consecrated Persons and the Lay Faithful of the Catholic Diocese of Wukari, held our 3rd General Assembly at St Mary Cathedral Hall, Wukari from 4th to 8th May, 2026. Having prayerfully reflected and deliberated on the theme: “THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH IN THE QUEST FOR POLITICAL REFORM AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA”, hereby issue this Communiqué.
1. GRATITUDE
The last eight months have been tumultuous for our diocese occasioned by violent attacks in Southern Taraba which led to loss of lives and destruction of communities with adverse effects also on the diocese as many churches and presbyteries were affected. On 4th of March, 2026, our Cathedral Church was razed by fire due to a power upsurge; a monumental setback for the diocese. However, despite these challenges, we have reasons to be grateful to God for achievements recorded. Notable among several are the successful take off of Divine Mercy Hospital on 16th January, 2026 and the furtherance of work on our Pastoral Centre building project at Idofi Ward of Wukari Local Government Area. We pray that the security situation in Takum and Donga Local Government Areas will improve, so that our brothers and sisters will return safely to their communities.
2. THE CHURCH AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA
Good governance refers to responsible, transparent, and accountable management of public resources and national affairs. It ensures that decisions are participatory, equitable and guided by the rule of law. Where good governance exists, corruption is minimized, public trust is strengthened, human rights are protected and sustainable development is promoted for the benefit of all citizens. In Nigeria, the relationship between the Church and state represents a complex interaction of moral authority, social responsibility and political influence. As one of the most influential institutions in society, the Church serves both as a mirror reflecting societal realities and as a moral catalyst capable of inspiring political and social reforms. The Church’s mission is fundamentally spiritual; however, it cannot remain indifferent to social injustice, corruption, oppression and poor leadership that undermine human dignity. For the Church to effectively promote good governance in Nigeria, it must faithfully balance its spiritual mandate with a consistent, non-partisan commitment to justice, truth, accountability and the rule of law.
St. John Paul II in Centesimus Annus (1991) notes: “The State has the duty to provide for the defense and preservation of common goods such as the natural and human environments.” Therefore, we affirm that for good governance to be possible in Nigeria there is every need to dismantle all unjust structures that place the wealth of this country in the hands of a privileged few. And all forms of oppression, suppression and slavery be loosened. Moreso, the Church teaches that "co-responsibility for the common good" makes it morally necessary for citizens to participate in political life (CCC 1913). The penalty for indifference in good governance is to be ruled by evil men (Proverbs 29:2). We therefore urge all Christ's faithful and citizens to as a matter of necessity, actively participate in choosing their leaders.
3. CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY THROUGH POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
Political participation is an essential duty of all citizens in the pursuit of political reform and good governance in Nigeria. The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), in their communiqué issued at the end of their first plenary in 2023 asserted that, citizens must actively participate in governance, because the success of democracy depends on their involvement. We recognize that the Church, while not partisan, has a prophetic responsibility to form the conscience of the faithful and to encourage meaningful engagement in the public life of the nation. Political participation, when properly understood, is a concrete expression of responsible citizenship and a vital instrument for promoting justice, accountability and the common good. We note with concern the growing trend of political apathy, distrust in public institutions and low voter participation, which continue to weaken democratic processes and hinder national development.
In line with the Church’s mission in society, we affirm that active and responsible political participation is a moral obligation and a necessary contribution to the development of the nation and the realization of authentic good governance rooted in justice, peace and the dignity of the human person. We therefore urge all Christians and citizens to embrace their civic responsibility by participating in elections, seeking elective political positions, engaging in civic education, promoting good governance and holding leaders accountable through constructive and peaceful civic engagements. Such participation must be guided by conscience, truth and moral integrity and must be free from ethnic, religious, or material manipulation. Furthermore, we encourage the youth, in particular, to take ownership of their civic future by rejecting violence, electoral malpractice and political disengagement, while committing themselves to values that foster unity, justice and sustainable development.
4. POLITICAL LEADERSHIP AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA
Political leadership is fundamentally a call to service, requiring the selfless commitment of individuals entrusted with authority by the people to promote the common good. Leadership, at any level, is a mandate given by society to ensure good governance, foster peace and security, and improve the welfare of all citizens, especially the poor and vulnerable. Effective political leadership must be guided by a strong moral conscience and a genuine commitment to quality administration.
The foundation of good governance rests on three core principles: the rule of law, accountability and transparency. These principles are essential for building trust, strengthening institutions and ensuring that leadership remains people-centred. While acknowledging that no leadership system is without challenges, various obstacles confront political leadership in Nigeria. However, these challenges can be addressed through deliberate and sustained reforms. In this regard, we recommend the following measures to promote effective political leadership and good governance in Nigeria: (i) leadership renewal and value reorientation; (ii) constitutional reforms aimed at achieving true federalism; (iii) strengthening of institutions, especially the judiciary and strict adherence to the rule of law; (iv) deepening anti-corruption norms and promoting transparency; (v) encouraging civic awakening, youth engagement and digital activism; (vi) pursuing electoral reforms to ensure credible elections: (vii) reforming the security sector with a focus on human-centered security: (viii) promoting economic diversification and poverty reduction; (ix) Strengthening political party systems and internal democracy and entrenching good governance as a core political value. We call on all political leaders, aspiring leaders, and relevant stakeholders to embrace these principles and recommendations in order to build a just, accountable and prosperous Nigeria.
5. ELECTORAL REFORMS AS A NECESSITY FOR CREDIBLE ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA
We affirm that credible elections are the foundation of any true democracy, reflecting the will of well-meaning Nigerians and ensuring legitimate governance. Persistent challenges such as electoral malpractice, vote buying, violence and result manipulation continue to undermine public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process. These realities make comprehensive electoral reforms not only desirable but urgent. We call for the full and transparent deployment of technology in the electoral process, including electronic collation and direct transmission of results from polling units to central servers. The consistent use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), and other reliable technologies should be ensured to minimize human interference and prevent result manipulation by electoral officials and political actors, especially on election day.
Furthermore, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must be truly independent. This requires removing executive control over the appointment of its Chairman and Commissioners, as well as establishing an independent funding mechanism to safeguard it from undue influence by the executive arm of government. An Electoral Offences Commission should be established and empowered to investigate and prosecute electoral offences such as vote buying, violence and election rigging. In addition, diaspora voting should be introduced, in line with practices in other democracies, to enable Nigerians abroad to participate in the electoral process.
Other critical reforms include: (i) the introduction of early voting for essential workers, persons with disabilities and the elderly; (ii) reducing electoral violence and the militarization of elections through responsible and professional security engagement; (iii) strengthening campaign finance regulations; making nomination forms more affordable; (iv) promoting internal party democracy; (v) curbing the imposition of candidates; (vi) addressing the influence of godfatherism; and (vii) ensuring strict enforcement of the Electoral Act 2022 and related laws. We urge all relevant stakeholders to prioritize these reforms as a matter of national importance. Only through a transparent, inclusive and accountable electoral system can Nigeria achieve credible elections, strengthen democratic governance and foster sustainable development.
6. RESURGENCE OF CRISES IN SOUTHERN TARABA AND A RENEWED CALL FOR THE SAFE RETURN OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPS)
From September 2025, there has been a resurgence of attacks by Fulani Ethnic Militia on Communities in Southern Taraba, most especially in Takum and Donga Local Government Areas, as well as Yangtu Special Development Area. These attacks have left scores of people injured, maimed and killed with property worth millions of naira and means of livelihood destroyed. The records of the Diocese show that over 98,000 persons have been displaced including 16 priests, 217 churches have been completely destroyed, while 8 priests residences have also been destroyed. Over 100 persons have been reported killed. Unfortunately, the Fulani Ethnic Militia who carry out these attacks seem to be untouchable as these attacks have continued for months without security agents doing enough to stop them. This is more worrisome because members of these displaced communities report that these intruders have taken over their communities.
In our Communique, at the end of our second General Assembly in March 2025, we pledged to collaborate with the Taraba State Government to promote peace in the state. We equally called on the government to address the root causes of conflicts and ensure the return and resettlement of IDPs to their homes and provide adequate security for them. Considering that the security situation in this part of the state has deteriorated and under reported, we reiterate this call, this time with a louder voice, so that the displaced can return to their homes and start rebuilding their lives so as to mitigate the negative effects of the crises as a result of the poor living conditions of the displaced. Their return will also enable them to participate in the election of their leaders during the next elections; an alienable right that they should not be denied.
CONCLUSION
As we mark the 3rd anniversary of Wukari Diocese and when we look back and realize that it has only been three years since the journey began, we are overwhelmed with gratitude to God for all that he has enabled us to accomplish despite all that we have been through (1 Thes 5:18). We commend the souls of our brothers and sisters killed as a result of violent attacks in Southern Taraba into the hands of God; we pray for the quick recovery of the wounded; the return of peace and the safe return of our displaced brothers and sisters to their homes.
May the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Queen of Peace, intercede for us always. Amen.
Signed:
Most Revd Mark Maigida Nzukwein
(Catholic Bishop of Wukari)
Very Revd Fr Simon Akuraga (Chancellor)