2027: Onaiyekan Urges INEC to Let Nigerians Freely Choose Their Leaders

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 a free, fair and credible 2027 election.

Onaiyekan made the call 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 Cardinal urged political actors and the electoral commission to abide by the rules governing elections, stressing that all stakeholders, including the government, had a responsibility to protect the integrity of the electoral process.

He also called on security agencies to maintain professionalism during the 2027 elections and warned against actions that could create tension or turn the country into a “war zone” because of the polls.

“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 specifically addressed INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, urging him to remain independent and follow the rules governing the electoral process.

“Professor 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.”

Onaiyekan said the assurance followed a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and Catholic bishops, during which concerns about a level playing field for political parties were reportedly raised.

He urged political actors, government officials and electoral authorities to take responsibility for their actions and avoid creating excuses for failing to comply with the rules.

The Cardinal also said Nigeria's electoral process had not improved significantly since the return to democratic rule in 1999, pointing to voter participation as one of the issues that concerned him.

He argued that sophisticated technology was not a substitute for proper implementation of existing electoral rules.

“You don’t need AI to have a free and fair election. We have practical rules. Let them do that,” he said.

Onaiyekan further urged Nigerians to exercise their right to choose their leaders freely at the ballot box.

He also referred to the work of the National Peace Committee, noting that political actors had previously been encouraged to sign peace agreements and commit themselves to responsible conduct during elections. He expressed concern that some commitments had not always been honoured.

Earlier, the Ariwoola-led Council of the Wise appealed to Onaiyekan to intensify his advocacy for peaceful, free, fair and credible elections ahead of the 2027 polls.

Ariwoola urged political parties and candidates to avoid hate speech, rancour and inflammatory or unguided statements capable of triggering violence.

He also called on political parties to comply with their constitutions and codes of conduct, while urging candidates and their supporters to adhere to electoral laws and guidelines issued by INEC.

The Council of the Wise comprises prominent Nigerians drawn from the country's six geopolitical zones and engages stakeholders on issues including national unity, peace and democratic governance.

The interventions come as political parties and other stakeholders intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections.