The Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has stated that the people of the South-East should be allowed to freely choose their preferred presidential candidate without interference from state governors. He made this statement in an interview with Afia Tv in Enugu. Onaiyekan's comments come in response to recent remarks by Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo on how the Igbo should vote in the 2027 presidential election.
Governor Soludo has urged Ndigbo to avoid "wasting" their votes and advocated for strategic political engagement by the South-East. He has also publicly backed President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 election. Onaiyekan disagreed with Soludo's position, stating that voters should be allowed to make their own choices. The cleric emphasized that governors, despite being elected representatives, should not dictate how citizens exercise their franchise during elections.
Onaiyekan argued that it is not the duty of governors to tell people how they should vote. He noted that governors themselves will have the opportunity to participate in the election by casting their own ballots. The cleric believes that other voters should similarly be allowed to make their choices without pressure. He added that elections provide citizens with an opportunity to express their political preferences and urged Nigerians to exercise that right freely.
The Catholic Archbishop Emeritus also advocated for reforms to Nigeria's electoral system. He suggested that a presidential candidate should secure at least 50 per cent of votes cast before being declared the winner. Onaiyekan also called for a more independent process for appointing INEC leadership and for election petitions to be concluded before elected candidates are inaugurated.
Onaiyekan's comments have sparked a renewed debate about the role of governors in influencing voters' choices. Some have argued that governors have a responsibility to guide their constituents on how to vote, while others believe that voters should be free to make their own decisions. The debate is significant, given the influential role that governors play in Nigerian politics.
The 2027 presidential election is expected to be highly competitive, with several candidates vying for the top spot. The South-East region is seen as a crucial voting bloc, and the endorsements of prominent figures like Soludo can significantly impact the outcome of the election. Onaiyekan's call for voters to be free from interference is likely to resonate with many Nigerians who value their right to make informed choices.
The Punch newspaper reported Onaiyekan's comments, which have been widely discussed in Nigerian media. The story was written by Samuel Omotere, an experienced journalist covering human interest stories, pop culture, and digital trends. The article highlights the ongoing debate about electoral reforms and the role of governors in Nigerian politics.
Key points
- Cardinal John Onaiyekan says Ndigbo should freely choose their preferred presidential candidate without interference from state governors.
