Catholic Bishops threaten to dismiss politically-inclined clerics 

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Catholic Bishops of Abuja Province have warned that clerics participating in partisan politics will face dismissals.
 
The bishops described the partisan engagement of clerics as a grave violation of Canons 285.3 and 287.2 of the 1983 Code.
 
The warning was contained in a communique at the end of meeting of Catholic Bishops of Abuja Province held in Akpegede, Catholic Diocese of Otukpo between August 19 and 21.
 
According to the communique issued by Most Rev Ignatius Ayau Kaigama and Most Rev David Ajang, Chairman/Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese, and Secretary/Bishop of Lafia Diocese, respectively, the conference resolved: “Once again, we would like to express the position of the church on the involvement of priests in politics.
 
“Canon 285.3 and Canon 287.2 of the 1983 Code discourage Catholic clergy from holding political office.
 
“We join our voices with the rest of Nigerian bishops on the statement issued on October 1, 2024, entitled ‘On clerics actively engaging in partisan (politics)’.