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Declares That No Excuse Will Be Accepted For Rigging Or Manipulating
-Advises INEC To For Once, Follow The Rules, Stay Truly Independent
Let Nigerians choose their leaders, Onaiyekan tells INEC, politicians
Former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties and other stakeholders to ensure that Nigerians are allowed to freely choose their leaders in the 2027 general elections.
Onaiyekan made the call on Monday in Abuja when he received a delegation from 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 cardinal urged INEC and political actors to play by the rules and conduct themselves in a manner that would guarantee free, fair and credible elections.
He also called on security agencies to maintain professionalism during the polls, warning against conduct capable of creating tension or turning the country into a “war zone” because of the elections.
“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,” Onaiyekan said.
He urged political competitors and the electoral umpire to respect the rules guiding the electoral process, stressing that the government must also be held to the same standard because it has a political party participating in the 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,” he 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 said the National Peace Committee had played an important role in promoting peaceful elections, including facilitating the signing of peace accords by political actors.
He, however, expressed concern that some politicians had violated commitments made under such agreements.
Despite this, he said he remained hopeful that the 2027 elections would be an improvement.
The former archbishop expressed concern over what he described as the lack of significant improvement in Nigeria’s electoral process since the return to democratic rule in 1999.
“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.
Onaiyekan also challenged the newly appointed INEC chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to ensure that the commission lived up to its responsibility of conducting a credible election.
“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.”
According to him, no political actor or institution should have an excuse for failing to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
He also played down the need for sophisticated technology as a prerequisite for credible elections, arguing that existing electoral rules were sufficient if properly implemented.
“You don’t need AI to have a free and fair election. We have practical rules. Let them do that,” Onaiyekan said.
He urged Nigerians to make their choices freely at the polls.
“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.”
Earlier, Ariwoola-led Council of the Wise urged Onaiyekan to intensify his advocacy for peaceful, transparent and credible elections ahead of the 2027 polls.
The former CJN asked the cardinal to continue using his influence to encourage politicians to conduct their campaigns peacefully and avoid actions capable of undermining the electoral process.
“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,” Ariwoola said.
He urged political parties and their candidates to shun hate speech, rancour and inflammatory statements capable of provoking violence.
“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,” he said.
Ariwoola also called on political parties to respect their constitutions, codes of conduct and the guidelines issued by INEC.
He said adherence to the rules would help parties earn the confidence and respect of voters.
“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.
The former CJN further urged candidates to ensure that their 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,” he said.
The Council of the Wise comprises prominent Nigerians drawn from the six geopolitical zones and is focused on engaging stakeholders, promoting national unity and supporting efforts to strengthen democratic governance.
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