Let Nigerians choose their leaders in 2027 - Onaiyekan tells INEC

Former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission and political actors to ensure that Nigerians are allowed to freely choose their leaders in the 2027 general elections.

Onaiyekan made the call on Monday in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development and the Council of the Wise, led by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. He called on INEC, political parties, candidates and the government to comply with electoral rules and work towards a free, fair and credible process.

The cleric also urged security agencies to remain professional and impartial during the elections, warning against actions that could heighten tensions or 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 stressed that responsibility for the credibility of the election rested not only with INEC but also with political actors and the government, noting that the governing party would itself be participating in the contest. Onaiyekan also reflected on the work of the National Peace Committee, saying efforts had been made over the years to encourage political actors to commit to peaceful conduct through peace accords.

He, however, expressed concern that some political actors had failed to honour such commitments in the past, while expressing hope that the 2027 elections would mark an improvement. Onaiyekan also challenged INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan to uphold the commission’s independence and ensure that Nigerians can exercise their right to choose their leaders freely.

Amupitan has served as INEC chairman since October 2025 and has publicly stated that the commission’s mandate is to deliver 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, Ariwoola urged Onaiyekan to intensify his calls for politicians to ensure peaceful, free, fair and credible elections. He also called on candidates and their supporters to avoid hate speech, inflammatory statements and other conduct capable of triggering violence during political campaigns.

Ariwoola urged political parties and candidates to comply with their constitutions, codes of conduct, electoral laws and INEC guidelines, arguing that adherence to the rules would help strengthen public trust in the electoral 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 comprises prominent Nigerians drawn from the country’s six geopolitical zones and engages political and civic stakeholders on national unity, peace and democratic governance. INEC’s current timetable schedules the presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, while the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for March 6.