Former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties and the government to ensure that Nigerians are given a genuine opportunity to elect their preferred leaders in the 2027 general elections.
Onaiyekan spoke on Monday in Abuja when he received the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development and its Council of the Wise, led by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
The cleric urged political actors and the electoral umpire to adhere strictly to the rules of the electoral process, saying the credibility of the 2027 polls would depend largely on the willingness of all stakeholders to play by the rules.
He particularly urged INEC to remain independent and called on security agencies to maintain professionalism before, during and after the elections.
Onaiyekan warned that political actors should not be allowed to turn the election into a source of conflict, urging security personnel to avoid actions capable of creating unnecessary tension.
“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,” he said.
The former archbishop said political parties, candidates and INEC had responsibilities to ensure that the electoral process worked as intended.
He said the government should also be regarded as a political actor because of its involvement in partisan politics.
“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,” Onaiyekan said.
“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.”
Onaiyekan expressed concern over the quality of Nigeria’s elections since the return to democratic rule in 1999, saying there had been no significant improvement.
“I don’t think it has been improving. And if you look, for example, at the voter party figures, it’s not encouraging,” he said.
He, however, expressed optimism about the 2027 election, particularly following assurances by the new INEC chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, that the commission would conduct free, fair and credible polls.
Onaiyekan urged Amupitan to remain committed to the responsibility entrusted to him.
“Professor Joash Amupitan, INEC chairman, has promised us that he’s going to deliver a free, fair, and credible election,” he said.
“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.”
The cardinal said stakeholders should not look for excuses to avoid doing what was required to deliver credible elections.
According to him, Nigeria already has sufficient electoral rules and does not need to rely excessively on artificial intelligence or other sophisticated technologies to guarantee free and fair elections.
“You don’t need AI to have a free and fair election. We have practical rules. Let them do that,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to exercise their constitutional right to choose their leaders without interference.
“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.”
On the role of the National Peace Committee, Onaiyekan said the body had contributed to efforts to promote peaceful elections, including through peace accords signed by political actors.
He noted, however, that some politicians had failed to honour commitments made under such agreements.
The Council of the Wise, during the visit, urged Onaiyekan to intensify his advocacy for peaceful and credible elections as political activities gather momentum ahead of 2027.
Ariwoola appealed to the cardinal to use his influence to encourage politicians to heed calls for responsible political conduct.
“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,” the former CJN said.
He urged political parties and candidates to avoid inflammatory rhetoric and conduct their campaigns peacefully.
“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,” Ariwoola said.
The Council of the Wise also urged political parties to abide by their constitutions, codes of conduct and INEC guidelines.
Ariwoola said candidates seeking elective office should demonstrate exemplary conduct and encourage their supporters to respect the law.
“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,” he said.
He added that political candidates should ensure that their parties and supporters complied with electoral laws and guidelines.
“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 of the Wise comprises prominent Nigerians drawn from the six geopolitical zones and is mandated to engage stakeholders, promote national unity and contribute to strengthening democratic governance in the country.
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