Former aide presidential aide and Veteran journalist, Reuben Abati has urged the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) to seek a papal visit, stressing that the country requires spiritual support ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Abati made the call on Thursday during his remarks on The Morning Show on Arise Television.
Reacting to recent comments by the Catholic Bishops, who asked President Bola Tinubu to tackle rising insecurity and violence across the country, Abati said the Church should go a step further by lobbying for a visit from Pope Leo XIV.
He noted that the Pope is billed to visit four African nations in April—Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea—in what will be his first papal trip to the continent.
Abati wondered whether Nigeria could still be included in the African tour, emphasizing the need for prayers as the nation prepares for another election cycle.
“First, you quoted the Catholic 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.”
