Veteran journalist and former presidential aide, Reuben Abati, has urged the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) to advocate for a papal visit, noting that the nation urgently needs prayers as the 2027 general elections approach.
Abati made the appeal on Thursday while speaking on The Morning Show on Arise Television.
Referring to recent remarks by the Catholic Bishops urging President Bola Tinubu to address worsening insecurity and the ongoing violence in parts of the country, Abati said the church should take further steps by seeking a visit from Pope Leo XIV.
According to him, the Pope is scheduled to visit four African countries in April – Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea – marking his first papal visit to the continent.
Abati questioned whether it would be possible for Nigeria to lobby for inclusion in the Pope’s African tour, stressing that the country needs spiritual intervention as it approaches the next general elections.
Abati said: “First, you quoted the Catholics Bishops of Nigeria saying to President Tinubu, you have to do something about security, check the carnage that is going on.
“Why that is relevant, I would like to charge the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria to pay attention to the fact that Pope Leo XIV will be visiting four African countries in April. The first papal visit by Pope Leo.
“He will be going to Algeria, the birthplace of Saint Augustine of Hippo. He’ll be going to Cameroon, Angola, and also Equatorial Guinea.
“Nigeria needs prayers at this time, as we are looking at general elections in 2027. Is there something that can still be done to lobby for the Pope to come and pray for us in this place where we need prayers? You cannot have more than enough prayers.”
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