By Tony Onyima, Ph.D.
The Supreme Knight of the Knights of Saint Mulumba (KSM), Sir Steve Adehi, has explained that the Order’s decision to engage in civic education and political participation is motivated by increasing concern over declining voter turnout and the need for responsible citizenship among Nigerians, especially Catholics. Speaking in a recent interview, Adehi stated that the initiative was based on a thorough review of Nigeria’s electoral history since 1999, which showed a consistent decline in voter turnout and rising political apathy among citizens.
According to him, the Order, in collaboration with other Catholic bodies and the Catholic Bishops, observed that fewer Nigerians are registering to vote and even fewer are participating in elections. This trend, he noted, has weakened democratic representation and allowed a small segment of the population to determine leadership outcomes. “Voting is a crucial part of responsible citizenship,” Adehi said, emphasising that Catholics and Christians must not withdraw from the political space, assuming that politics is inherently corrupt. He warned that such disengagement, though understandable, has unintentionally created a vacuum in public life. “When people of faith step back, they leave the moral space open,” he added.
Adehi emphasised that many of the challenges Nigerians pray about, including insecurity, poverty, and poor governance, are rooted in policy decisions. Therefore, he argued that faith and civic responsibility must go hand in hand. Most of the prayer points of the average Christian in Nigeria come from policy failures, he said. “So, engaging in the political process is not separate from our faith. It complements it.”
To address the issue, the KSM has already taken tangible steps towards civic education. Adehi revealed that the Order has produced enlightenment materials, including jingles, which have been distributed across its Metropolitan and Sub-councils nationwide. These materials aim to promote voter registration, election participation, and awareness of civic rights and responsibilities.
Beyond voting, the initiative also seeks to encourage Catholics to participate in political party processes actively and to safeguard the integrity of elections. “They should not only vote,” Adehi said, “but also be involved in defending their votes and ensuring that the process remains credible.” The civic education drive is part of a broader reform agenda under Adehi’s leadership, following his election as Supreme Knight at the Order’s 46th Supreme Convention in Kaduna.
Reflecting on his election, Adehi described the overwhelming support he received as both humbling and a call to greater responsibility. “I felt the weight of expectations immediately,” he said. “People came to me saying they believed I could take the Order back to its glorious days. That has stayed with me.”
The KSM, which has been in Nigeria for over 70 years, ranks among the leading Catholic lay organisations in the country. With more than 24,000 members across over 300 Sub-councils, the Order is actively involved in charitable work, advocacy, and support for the church.
Adehi said the civic education initiative aligns with the Order’s mission of service to God and society, noting that responsible citizenship is an extension of that mission. He also revealed that the effort is being coordinated through a dedicated committee collaborating with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria to develop a sustained national campaign. “Our goal is to awaken consciousness,” he said. “People need to understand that their participation matters, and that change begins with involvement.”
Adehi showed hope that through ongoing effort, the pattern of political disengagement can be turned around, resulting in stronger democratic institutions and improved governance. “We want to build a society where faith motivates action,” he concluded, “and where citizens take responsibility for the future of their country.”
