Give Nigerians Credible Elections!” – Kukah Fires Strong Warning To INEC

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct transparent and credible elections, cautioning that Nigeria risks being left behind as other African nations move forward.

He made the appeal in Abuja at the Leadership Annual Conference and Awards 2025, themed “Political Stability and Sustainable Development in Africa in an Increasingly Unstable Global System.” Kukah emphasized the pressing need for electoral reforms and greater political accountability.

“By God, by whatever means, give us clean and credible elections,” he said to loud applause.

Chairing the event, Kukah described Nigeria as pivotal to Africa’s political stability, noting that the continent’s progress is closely tied to the fortunes of its most populous country.

“A roadmap to make Africa great again cannot proceed without Nigeria,” he said. “But the rest of Africa will not wait for Nigeria. They will not wait for us to decide whether we transmit election results by podcast, telecast, videocast, or livestream.”

Speaking on Africa’s place in the global competition for resources, Kukah warned that while major world powers are repositioning themselves, Africa remains sidelined and unprepared.

“The boys in Washington are discussing critical minerals,” he said. “America’s key focus now is how to secure the elements needed to industrialise their country. They are investing heavily in mining, protecting their companies, and rebuilding their mining ecosystems.”

Despite being rich in many of these resources, Kukah lamented that Africa is largely excluded from major global decisions.

“We are not at the table. While superpowers are reviewing what resembles a new Berlin Conference, Africa remains the main subject on the table,” he noted.

He warned that persistent instability and flawed electoral systems would continue to undermine Africa’s influence globally.

“While Africa is drowning in its own blood and reinforcing its weaknesses, other nations are advancing their dominance,” he said. “The rest of Africa will not wait for us to remain in confusion. We must get it right.”

Kukah called on political leaders to ensure that elections genuinely reflect the will of the people, beyond just the technical processes of collation and transmission.

He also advocated stronger collaboration across sectors to drive Nigeria’s development, stressing that meaningful progress requires integrity, innovation, and collective responsibility.

“This conference is about Nigeria—where we are, what we have learned, and where we are headed. We celebrate excellence, not perfection; dedication, faith, and resilient service to this nation,” he added.