The Catholic Bishop of Jalingo Diocese, Most Rev Bishop Charles Hammawa, has raised the alarm over Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation and what he described as the gradual weakening of democratic institutions, warning that the country may face its worst elections in 2027 if urgent reforms are not undertaken.
Speaking during a recent interview in Jalingo, the cleric noted that Nigeria’s political leadership lacks the “honest and sincere political will” required to end the growing wave of violence across the country.
According to him, despite the huge resources committed to security, citizens continue to live in fear while leaders remain insulated from the crisis affecting ordinary Nigerians.
“It is getting worse and worse in the country, and there seems to be no sincere political will to curb this. Those who are out there doing the dirty work are not cared for, they are not properly equipped, and when you send them out like that, you are practically sending them on a suicide mission”, Bishop Hammawa said.
The bishop blamed what he described as the ruling class’ indifference to the worsening insecurity, insisting that the failure of leadership has allowed insurgency and criminality to thrive for years.
Referencing the prolonged battle against Boko Haram, he questioned why Nigeria’s vast security apparatus has struggled to defeat what he believes is a relatively small insurgent force compared to Nigeria’s security resources.
“Even if there are about five thousand insurgents causing havoc, what is that compared to the security forces of this country that we cannot crush them?” he asked.
Beyond the security concerns, Bishop Hammawa warned that Nigeria’s democratic system is under threat as political defections and power consolidation by the ruling party increasingly point toward what he called a “dangerous slide into a one-party state.”
He argued that democracy cannot function effectively where political competition is weakened, and constitutional provisions on party defections are ignored.
“We are talking about democracy, but democracy does not work in a one-party state. It is like a dictatorship, only that these ones are not wearing uniforms and carrying guns”, he said.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the cleric expressed deep skepticism about the credibility of the process, warning that early signs already suggest the polls could be deeply flawed.
According to him, internal party processes are already being manipulated, raising fears that the eventual elections may simply be a formality.
“I would really like to be proven wrong, but we will probably have the worst elections, the signs are already there.”
The bishop also lent his voice to the ongoing debate on restructuring Nigeria’s security architecture, expressing support for the establishment of state police as a way to strengthen local security and create employment opportunities for Nigeria’s growing youth population. However, he cautioned that safeguards must be put in place to prevent political abuse of such a system.
As Nigeria approaches another election cycle amid deepening insecurity and economic challenges, the bishop urged leaders and citizens alike to reflect on the country’s direction, warning that the nation stands at a decisive moment in its democratic journey.
“For the pride of Africa to be drifting into this kind of situation is very sad,” he said. “Nigeria must not slide into dictatorship.”