Former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission and other political stakeholders to ensure Nigerians are able to freely choose their leaders in the 2027 general elections.
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He made the appeal on Monday in Abuja while hosting a delegation from the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development, alongside the Council of the Wise, led by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. Onaiyekan urged INEC, political parties, candidates, and government officials to adhere to electoral rules and work collectively toward a free, fair, and credible process.
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The cleric also urged security agencies to maintain professionalism and impartiality throughout the election period, cautioning against any conduct that could heighten tensions or, in his words, turn the country into a “war zone.” “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 emphasized that responsibility for a credible election doesn’t rest with INEC alone, but also with political actors and the government — particularly given that the ruling party will itself be a contestant. Reflecting on the work of the National Peace Committee, he noted that years of effort have gone into encouraging political actors to commit to peaceful conduct through peace accords, though he expressed disappointment that some actors have failed to honour those commitments in the past. Still, he voiced hope that 2027 would mark an improvement
Onaiyekan also directed a pointed message at INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, who has led the commission since October 2025 and has publicly committed to delivering elections that are free, fair, credible, transparent, and inclusive.
“So, to the INEC chairman, don’t tie your own hand. Do the right thing,” Onaiyekan said. “You don’t need AI to have a free and fair election. We have practical rules. Let them do that. 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.”
Speaking during the visit, Justice Ariwoola urged Onaiyekan to keep pressing politicians to ensure peaceful, free, fair, and credible elections. He also called on candidates and their supporters to steer clear of hate speech, inflammatory rhetoric, and any conduct that could spark violence during campaigns.
Ariwoola further urged political parties and candidates to comply with their party constitutions, codes of conduct, electoral laws, and INEC guidelines, arguing that doing so would help strengthen public trust in the process. “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 Council of the Wise is made up of prominent Nigerians drawn from the country’s six geopolitical zones and works to engage political and civic stakeholders on issues of national unity, peace, and democratic governance.
According to INEC’s current timetable, the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for February 20, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will follow on March 6.
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