The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has been encouraged by former presidential adviser and television broadcaster Reuben Abati to ask the Pope to come to Nigeria and give prayers in advance of the general election in 2027.
On Thursday, Abati made the announcement while on Arise Television’s The Morning Show.
He mentioned that the Pope will make his first papal trip to Africa in April when he travels to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea.
Ahead of the upcoming general elections, Abati emphasized the need for spiritual intervention in Nigeria and asked whether the country should campaign for inclusion in the Pope’s African visit.
He cited recent statements made by Catholic bishops pleading with President Bola Tinubu to deal with the country’s persistent bloodshed and growing insecurity.
According to him, the church need to go one step further and ask Pope Leo XIV to visit.
According to Abati, “First, you cited the Nigerian Catholic Bishops telling President Tinubu that you need to take security measures and stop the carnage that is occurring.”
I would want to draw the attention of the Nigerian Catholic Bishops Conference to Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming April trip to four African nations, which is why that is significant. Pope Leo’s first visit to the Vatican.
“Saint Augustine of Hippo’s birthplace, Algeria, will be his destination. He is scheduled to visit Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, and Angola.
“Prayers are needed in Nigeria right now because national elections are scheduled for 2027. Is it still possible to advocate for the Pope to visit and offer prayers for us here, where we are in need of them? You can’t pray more than you need.
