Nigeria’s Onitsha Diocese to Observe 21 Days of Prayer, Fasting ahead of Elections

The Nigerian Catholic Archbishop is also calling on the people of God to pray for wisdom to elect “God-fearing leaders based on their values, moral standard, the credibility of conduct, visionary plans, competence and character and not based on their political parties.”

In the February 1 statement, the Chancellor of Onitsha Archdiocese says the Archbishop has underscored the need for Christians to pray “that political leaders may conduct themselves with civility, eschew electoral fraud, and avoid any act of lawlessness before, during, and after elections.”

During the prayer and fasting period, all families, Rectories, Convents, Seminaries, and Monasteries within the Nigerian Archdiocese “will pray their Holy Rosaries daily, faithfully and in common (preferably in the evenings) specifically for the above-mentioned intentions,” says Fr. Aroh.

He adds that Archbishop Okeke has directed Priests and women and men Religious in the Archdiocese to “fast on all Fridays within these 21 days from 6 am -12 noon.”

“Please rectories, convents, and monasteries are requested not to prepare breakfast at all except for the sick ones and those with special needs. Beloved brothers and sisters, we have experienced many challenges in the past but through prayers and trust in the Lord, we have surmounted them all. Let us put our trust in the Lord for his faithfulness never ceases,” says Fr. Aroh.

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He continues, “May our Mother Mary, Queen of Nigeria intercede for our country so that the forthcoming elections will end in the praise of God. We wish you all a fruitful prayer.”

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.