Cleric calls for electoral integrity as global powers eye Africa’s resources amid instability
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, has issued a stern appeal to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure clean and credible elections, cautioning that Nigeria’s democratic missteps could leave the nation lagging behind the rest of Africa.
Speaking on Thursday at the Leadership Annual Conference and Awards 2025 in Abuja, themed “Political Stability and Sustainable Development in Africa in an Increasingly Unstable Global System: A Roadmap for Nigeria,” Kukah emphasized the urgency of getting the electoral process right amid ongoing controversies surrounding the Electoral Act.
“By God, by whatever means, give us clean and credible elections,” Kukah declared, drawing applause from the conference participants.
Africa at the Crossroads of Global Competition
Chairing the event, Kukah framed Nigeria’s democratic challenges within a rapidly shifting global order, warning that Africa is increasingly the theatre of geopolitical competition among superpowers vying for its critical minerals.
“The boys in Washington are discussing critical minerals,” he said. “America’s greatest task now is how to deal with these minerals—the elements required to build and industrialise their country. They are investing in mining, protecting their mining companies, and rebuilding their mining ecosystems.”
Kukah lamented that Africa, despite being the primary source of these resources, is often excluded from global decisions shaping its future.
“We are not at the table,” he warned. “While the superpowers are reviewing what looks like a new Berlin Conference in major cities of the world to consolidate their domination, Africa is again the main venue on the table.”
Credible Elections Key to Nigeria and Africa’s Future
He stressed that without political stability anchored on credible elections, Nigeria risks weakening itself and, by extension, Africa’s broader ambitions.
“A roadmap to make Africa great again cannot proceed without Nigeria,” Kukah 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.”
He cautioned that the mechanics of result transmission must not overshadow transparency and integrity: “The rest of Africa will not wait for us to surrender to confusion. We must get it right.”
Leadership Conference as a Platform for Solutions
Kukah also highlighted the importance of forums such as the Leadership Conference for introspection and solution-driven dialogue. He praised the awards segment for celebrating resilience, innovation, and service to humanity, noting that national progress requires collaboration across government, the private sector, civil society, and communities.
“This conference is about Nigeria—where we are, what we’ve learned, and where we are going,” he said. “We celebrate excellence, not perfection; commitment, faith, and resilient service to this nation.”
