Defeated Nigerian Flagbearer Calls on Africa’s Catholics to Storm the Political Frontlines and Ignite A Powerful Reform
A prominent Nigerian public figure has urged African Catholics to step boldly into the political arena, arguing that their active participation is essential for building principled, humane, and value-driven leadership across the continent.
Addressing an online Palaver convened by the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN), Peter Obi stressed that Africa’s entrenched poverty and chronic leadership failures arise from officials who lack integrity, competence, and a genuine dedication to service.
“Despite its immense potential, Africa has become a landscape of deprivation and a mosaic of crises,” Obi said during the November 28 dialogue themed ‘A Pan-African Church Palaver on Church and Politics in Africa.’ “Our tragedy is leadership devoid of capacity and character.”
He argued that sincere Catholic engagement in public life could help infuse governance with moral conviction rooted in faith.
“It is critical for authentic Catholics to step forward,” the former presidential candidate said, “because their example will place human dignity first—especially in vital areas such as healthcare, education, and lifting citizens out of poverty.” His contribution was titled “How can Catholic politicians demonstrate principled leadership that transforms Africa’s political culture?”
Obi also spotlighted education as the bedrock of societal renewal. He recalled his administration’s decision to return mission schools to their original owners after the Nigerian Civil War and support their holistic formation models.
“We made sure our institutions emphasized ethical instruction, character development, and behavior formation—elements far more vital than academics alone,” he said.
Speaking from a Dominican secondary school in Anambra State, where he was supporting an ongoing project, Obi insisted that public officeholders must embody integrity.
“Public funds must serve the public interest. No one has the right to plunder common resources. We must eradicate such theft by every lawful means,” he declared.
He called for continued continental conversations among African Catholics to nurture “a fair, compassionate, and humane society where a child of no privilege can rise to prominence, and where the poor are genuinely uplifted.”
Cardinal Napier: The Church Must Stay Watchful
Also speaking at the November 28 Palaver, Wilfrid Fox Cardinal Napier of South Africa urged Church leaders to maintain vigilant engagement with political authorities to prevent governance breakdowns and to safeguard the common good.
Reflecting on South Africa’s transition to democracy, the Cardinal warned that unquestioned confidence in political leaders can leave the Church dangerously unprepared.
“During the struggle, we worked closely with leaders who later formed the government,” he noted. “But once they took power, we relaxed our guard—and while we looked away, things began to unravel.”
He explained that the Church’s deep camaraderie with politicians during the liberation era bred a trust that later proved costly.
“We tended to trust them excessively,” he said, noting that this created room for opportunistic actors “to exploit the new environment.”
According to him, several leaders who once seemed committed to the nation’s well-being “ultimately drifted because they were seduced by money.”
He insisted that Church leaders must continuously monitor political developments:
“We must keep our eyes fixed on what is happening in our countries and on the direction our politicians are steering us.”
Fr. Stan Chu Ilo: The Church as a Partner for Justice and Democratic Renewal
PACTPAN Coordinator, Fr. Stan Chu Ilo, highlighted the Catholic Church’s mission to engage politics in a way that promotes justice, human dignity, and accountable governance.
He referenced the call by the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) for closer Church–state collaboration in advancing the common good and constitutional democracy.
“A Church that works with governments can help anchor democracy, safeguard rights, and inject Gospel values into public life,” Fr. Stan said.
While acknowledging Africa’s democratic progress, he noted that many nations remain trapped in governance failures, corruption, inequality, and fragile institutions—with only a limited number of countries qualifying as fully democratic.
The Research Professor at DePaul University underscored the need to translate the Church’s synodal principles into political models that inspire servant leadership, reconciliation, and restorative justice—especially in conflict-scarred regions.
“Strengthening the Church’s prophetic voice through small Christian communities, media networks, and ecclesial groups is vital for demanding accountability while championing peace, justice, and holistic development,” he added.
Guy Nko Ebobissé: Reconnect With the Youth or Lose Them
Cameroonian civil engineer, entrepreneur, and national president of the Christian Democratic Party (ADP), Guy Nko Ebobissé, challenged the Church to rebuild its relationship with African youth.
“Young people see the Catholic Church in Africa almost as a vast NGO,” he said. “The Gospel’s message of abundant life becomes difficult to recognize when the Church appears aligned with the powerful rather than the marginalized.”
He criticized tendencies such as priests running institutions without lay collaboration, Church-owned schools or hospitals shutting down due to finances, and the exclusion of youth from leadership decisions.
“To regain credibility, the Church must become a home of listening, transparency, and accompaniment—fearlessly condemning social injustice, even when perpetrated by the influential,” he said. His presentation was titled “How the Church and Catholic public officials can rebuild public trust, especially among disillusioned youth.”
Ebobissé emphasized that African youths demand coherence, not mere rhetoric:
“They want institutions that embody truth, fairness, and justice—not just moral speeches.”
Tôognooma Wilfried Pierre Kaboré: Empower Youth for Political Influence
Humanitarian project manager and former National President of Burkina Faso’s Catholic Youth Council, Tôognooma Wilfried Pierre Kaboré, urged the Church to intensify efforts to guide and empower young people within political spaces.
He noted that while the Church is not a political institution, it serves as a moral compass and educator for society.
“The Church’s task is to illuminate every aspect of human life and support the pursuit of the common good. Political progress emerges when Christian values, mentorship, and opportunities enable young people to gain credibility and visibility,” he said.
Kaboré explained that many young Africans avoid political involvement due to inadequate skills, fear of moral compromise, and insufficient ethical grounding.
He proposed four key strategies to cultivate meaningful youth participation:
- Prepare young people for emerging political realities and foster leadership that mirrors the aspirations of citizens.
- Strengthen civic and political competencies through well-funded training programs.
- Promote ethical young role models by giving them platforms at public events, media engagements, and conferences.
- Establish parish-based mentorship networks and political fraternities that connect aspiring youth with experienced leaders while ensuring spiritual guidance and preventing clerical overreach.
Source: Araba Sey
