By Shindong Bala
The Zumuntan Mata Katolika of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna has apologised to the Catholic Church over its participation in an engagement with a senatorial candidate in Kaduna Central under the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The women, drawn from the Sabon Tasha, Romi and Makera Deaneries, said their participation in the September 6, 2026 engagement was not intended to constitute an endorsement of Senator Sani or the APC.
In a statement signed by the President of Zumuntan Mata, Alice J. Bawa, its Secretary, Bako Justina, and Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Stephen P. Dogo, the group said it was necessary to clarify the circumstances surrounding the encounter and disassociate the Catholic Church and its lay structures from any political alignment.
The women explained that the engagement followed an invitation from the senatorial aspirant to representatives of the three deaneries, who understood the invitation to be an opportunity for interaction with members of the Catholic community.
According to them, the aspirant had previously visited other metropolitan deaneries during their annual conferences but had not had the opportunity to visit Sabon Tasha, Romi and Makera.
However, the women alleged that they were subsequently “misled into a political spectacle under false pretences,” claiming that they were not adequately informed that the engagement would be used as a political platform.
“We were mobilized by a lady whom we trusted and were made to understand that the engagement was for a different purpose, without being adequately informed that it would be used as a political platform,” the statement said.
The group stressed that Zumuntan Mata Katolika was not established as a political mobilisation platform and would not become one for any candidate, political party or political interest.
It further emphasised that although individual members of the Catholic laity were free to support political candidates in their personal capacities, no individual had the authority to use the collective name, identity or sacred uniform of the Church to endorse a political figure.
Reaffirming its allegiance to the Catholic Church and the legitimate ecclesiastical authority of the Archdiocese of Kaduna, the women said their participation in civic and democratic activities would continue to be guided by Catholic values, responsible citizenship, peace, justice, human dignity and the common good.
“While we were deceived of the political dimension of the visit, ignorance is not an excuse,” the statement said.
“With all sense of humility and remorse, we take full responsibility and apologise over our actions and inactions during the visit.”
The women, however, rejected any political affiliation that might have been inferred from their participation, insisting that the non-partisan integrity and dignity of Catholic Church societies must be respected.
They expressed regret over what they described as the embarrassment, concern and discontent caused by their presence at the event to the Archbishop, priests, religious leaders, church leaders and the wider Catholic laity.
Editing By Godwin Duru
