Author: Dr. Friday Ifeanyi Ogbuehi

Abstract: Christianity is a religion that is against cheating, malpractice, exploitation, corruption, stealing, and falsification. It is worrisome that despite the involvement of the church (mission churches: Anglican Church and Roman Catholic Church) in politics, the elections conducted in this country have been marred by electoral malpractice. This has created an erroneous impression in the minds of the critics that the church is irrelevant in regard to politics, especially political elections in the country. Consequently, the paper examined the role played by the selected mission churches in fighting electoral malpractice in Nigeria. This research used historical and phenomenological methods. The data were described and analyzed for them to be more meaningful. Again, data were derived from the participant observation owing to the fact that the writer is a Nigerian and has voted in several elections in the country. Other sources include books, internet materials, and periodicals. It was discovered that the mission churches have made significant efforts in containing the high rate of electoral malpractice by sensitization, public condemnation, Sermons, Pastoral letters, Communiqués, Prayers, setting up political Observers, and have championed movements that have ensured that justice and fair play were restored in this country. By so doing, the church has contributed its quota in making sure there was good governance in the political space. However, the mission churches were advised to adopt radical and proactive approaches in bringing lasting solutions to the incessant electoral malpractice by inculcating discipline in the minds of the Christian politicians and the Independent National Electoral Commission’s officials that constitute the membership of these churches.

Keywords: Election, Malpractice, legitimate government, democracy, politics.