The Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins, has called on Nigerian leaders to prioritise effective governance over endless politicking, urging them to focus on improving the lives of citizens through policies that foster growth and well-being.
He made the call during the commissioning of new Catechists into the Lagos Archdiocesan Guild of Catechists (LAGC) at the 2025 Catechist Day and Jubilee Year of Hope Celebration, held recently at St. Dominic Catholic Church, Yaba, Lagos.
Archbishop Martins decried the growing trend of political alignments and defections among politicians, describing it as a major distraction from governance and the fulfilment of campaign promises.
He noted that the obsession with politics has left many Nigerians struggling amid worsening economic and social challenges.“Politicians are aligning and realigning, decamping and recamping, and all of that.
It’s really putting governance in a bad state,” he said. “Our appeal is that they should recognise that they were voted to make life better for the people and to create an enabling environment for their welfare.”
While acknowledging that campaigns are part of democracy, the Archbishop stressed that elected officials must not neglect their primary duty of service to the people.
“Let them ensure that even while campaigning, they continue to deliver good governance and uphold the trust placed in them by the electorate,” he added.
Speaking on the event’s theme, “Do Not Lose Heart; Awakening Pilgrims of Hope,” Archbishop Martins urged the newly commissioned Catechists to lead the faithful to a deeper understanding of God and the teachings of the Church.
He commended their dedication and reminded them of their sacred calling as teachers of faith.
He also encouraged the faithful to cultivate gratitude, saying, “We must never forget to thank God always—for the gift of hearing His word, for receiving the body and blood of Jesus, and for calling these catechists to this noble vocation.
Reporting by Sherifat Oyediran