Catholic Bishops Elect Akubeze as President

Paul Obi in Abuja

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN)  thursday elected Archbishop Augustine Akubeze of the Benin Archdiocese as its new President.

The election also witnessed the election of Bishop Lucius Ugorji of Umuahia Diocese as the Vice President, Most Rev Camillus Umor of Ikot-Ekpene Diocese as Secretary and Bishop Michael Hammawa of Jalingo Diocese as Assistant Secretary.

Akubeze takes over from Archbishop of Jos, Ignatius Kaigama who held the CBCN position for a two term.

Meanwhile, the bishops in the communique explained that “elections are around the corner, a God-given opportunity for citizens to democratically choose their leaders in a free and fair contest.

“Such elections depend not only on what happens on the morning of the elections but the entire process before, during and after the casting of the votes.”

The bishops frown at the difficulty associated with voter’s registration, stating that, “it is equally reported that such difficulty in registration often target certain segments of the community.

“Furthermore, we hear of registration of underaged. It is quite unfortunate that our young people will allow themselves to be used as canon fodders in electoral malpractices,” they said.

Related Articles