Tuesday, September 29, 2026 - Former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has, again, asked the Independent National Electoral Commission and political actors to ensure that Nigerians are allowed to freely choose their leaders in a free, fair and credible 2027 election.
Cardinal Onaiyekan stated this on Monday in Abuja when he
received the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development and the
Council of the Wise, led by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode
Ariwoola.
He urged the electoral umpire and political stakeholders to
abide by the rules governing elections and ensure that Nigerians were allowed
to freely choose their leaders.
He also called on security agencies to maintain
professionalism during the 2027 elections, warning against actions that could
create tension or turn the country into a “war zone” because of the polls.
Onaiyekan stated, “There’s not much one can do, but all we
can do is to remind people about the basic principles of a free, fair, and
credible election.
“I hope that people, both the political gladiators and I
hate the word, because gladiators are not very nice actors- political
competitors on the field.
“And the umpire, that is the INEC. When I say the political
actors, I include the government, because the government has a party that is
also in the race. All of them, if they will follow the rules that we have made
for ourselves, things will work well.”
On the efforts of the National Peace Committee, Onaiyekan
said the committee had done its best to promote peaceful elections, including
organising the signing of a peace accord by political actors committing
themselves to responsible conduct.
He, however, expressed concern that some political actors
had violated such commitments, saying he remained hopeful that the 2027
elections would be better.
Onaiyekan added that Nigeria’s elections had not improved
significantly since 1999.
He continued, “I don’t think it has been improving. And if
you look, for example, at the voter party figures, it’s not encouraging.
Professor Joash Amupitan, INEC chairman, has promised us that he’s going to
deliver a free, fair, and credible election.
“So, to the INEC chairman, don’t tie your own hand. Do the
right thing. The President says you are free. He’s not going to put undue
pressure on you to do the wrong thing.
“So everybody must be responsible for what they do. And so
there will be no room for people to be looking for excuses for not doing the
right thing.
“You don’t need AI to have a free and fair election. We have
practical rules. Let them do that. Let Nigerians, for once, there are only once
in four years. Let us as individuals talk and take our decision about who rules
us. They should allow us to enjoy that right to choose who we want to rule us.”
Speaking during the visit, the Ariwoola-led Council of the
Wise urged Onaiyekan to intensify calls on politicians to ensure peaceful,
free, fair and credible elections in 2027.
The council also asked politicians to avoid hate speech,
rancour and inflammatory statements capable of triggering violence.
The former CJN urged political parties and candidates to
abide by their constitutions, codes of conduct and INEC guidelines.
He stated, “Your Eminence, the main purpose of the council’s
visit to you is to appreciate the fatherly role you have been playing in
Nigeria and to request you to double your efforts in appealing to the Nigerian
politicians to always listen to their own wise counsel during the upcoming
political campaigns to have peaceful, free, fair and successful 2027 elections.
“It is also important for His Eminence to call on all
candidates to ensure that the political campaigns are devoid of rancour, hate
speech, inflammatory and unguided utterances capable of instigating violence.
Nigeria deserves peaceful, transparent 2027 elections.
“The council will be very grateful if His Eminence would
join it in appealing to the leaderships of political parties in Nigeria to
always abide by the codes of conduct and constitutions of their respective
parties so that they could earn the trust and respect of the electorate.
“It is also important to remind all candidates that as
responsible Nigerians who aspire to secure the mandate to lead the country as a
whole, exemplary conduct and inspiring attitude are expected from them at all
times.
“They should lead in compelling members of their political
parties and supporters to fully comply with the electoral laws and guidelines
issued by the electoral umpire, to develop a culture of integrity and trust.”
The council comprises prominent Nigerians drawn from the six
geopolitical zones and is mandated to engage stakeholders, promote national
unity and strengthen democratic governance.
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