He went on to call upon JDPC Directors “to articulate a charter of demands relevant to their specific regions. By doing so, the organization could make clear the priorities and concerns of local communities, providing a framework for accountability.”
Fr. Obodoechina underscored the need for early and proactive planning ahead of the 2027 elections, and added, “Parties for 2027 are already ganging up. Some are already very set, and we cannot fold our arms and start chasing shadows two to three months before the elections. We may be thinking that there is still time, but we must start early to strategize for the elections which come up three years from now.”
He emphasized the importance of early preparedness and active participation from the grassroots level to the national arena, saying, “It is not enough for Catholics to always be at the advocacy level without taking part in the process.”
The Catholic Official went on to reflected on the Church’s previous involvement in mobilizing citizens in political participation, including election observation and collaboration with Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“We’ve done this over the years, and I am sure you are not satisfied with the outcomes of your daily engagements,” Fr. Obodoechina said referring to the role of the Church in the electioneering processes in Africa’s most populous nation.
The participation of the Church can have even more impact if members can be mobilized through the various groups such as the Catholic Women Organization (CWO), Catholic Men Organization (CMO), and other lay groups, he told ACI Africa during the September 26 interview.
“Imagine what would have happened if our Laity groups became members of the All-Progressive Congress (APC), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), or any other political party at the ward level,” he said, adding, “When Catholics dominate the parties at the ward level, they can influence decisions.”
Fr. Obodoechina envisioned a future where Catholic values would permeate political gatherings.
“We want a party where they will recite the Holy Rosary before their every meeting, which shows that we are involved,” he said.
This, the Nigerian Catholic Priest said, would facilitate a “stronger platform for promoting Catholic Social Teachings (CST) within governance.”
