Former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has called on 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. He made this statement 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. Onaiyekan emphasized the importance of allowing Nigerians to exercise their right to choose their leaders.
Onaiyekan urged the electoral umpire and political stakeholders to abide by the rules governing elections and ensure that Nigerians are 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. According to Onaiyekan, there is a need for all stakeholders to follow the rules and ensure a peaceful and credible election.
The National Peace Committee, led by Onaiyekan, has been working to promote peaceful elections, including organizing the signing of a peace accord by political actors committing themselves to responsible conduct. However, Onaiyekan expressed concern that some political actors had violated such commitments, saying he remained hopeful that the 2027 elections would be better. He noted that Nigeria’s elections had not improved significantly since 1999.
Onaiyekan added that the voter turnout figures are not encouraging, citing Professor Joash Amupitan, INEC chairman, who has promised to deliver a free, fair, and credible election. Onaiyekan advised the INEC chairman not to tie his own hands and to do the right thing, emphasizing that the President has assured him that he will not put undue pressure on him to do the wrong thing.
The Council of the Wise, led by Justice Ariwoola, 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. They urged political parties and candidates to abide by their constitutions, codes of conduct, and INEC guidelines.
The Council of the Wise comprises prominent Nigerians drawn from the six geopolitical zones and is mandated to engage stakeholders, promote national unity, and strengthen democratic governance. The council’s visit to Onaiyekan aimed to appreciate his fatherly role in Nigeria and to request that he double his efforts in appealing to Nigerian politicians to listen to their own wise counsel during the upcoming political campaigns.
Onaiyekan and the Council of the Wise emphasized the importance of ensuring that the 2027 elections are peaceful, free, fair, and credible. They called on all stakeholders to work together to achieve this goal, stressing that Nigeria deserves a transparent and peaceful electoral process. The 2027 elections are expected to be a significant event in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Key points
- Former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, urges INEC and political actors to ensure a free, fair, and credible 2027 election.
- Onaiyekan calls on security agencies to maintain professionalism during the 2027 elections.
- The Council of the Wise urges politicians to avoid hate speech and inflammatory statements capable of triggering violence.
