By Our reporter
Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has warned that the current administration of President Bola Tinubu appears determined to secure victory in the 2027 general elections through every available route.
Speaking during a debate with Christian leaders in Abuja, the Cardinal said the signals coming from government quarters suggest an approach that prioritizes winning above process, regardless of public perception or democratic norms.
“Unfortunately they have a lot of means at their disposal and they’re deploying all those means in a way that eventually, even with a free and fair election the votes of the people may not count,” Onaiyekan stated.
He expressed concern that the concentration of state resources, political influence, and institutional leverage could overwhelm the electoral system, making it difficult for citizens’ choices to translate into actual outcomes.
The Cardinal noted that Nigeria’s democracy has struggled with credibility over the years, and that any attempt to manipulate the 2027 polls would further erode public trust in elections and governance.
According to Onaiyekan, Christian leaders and other faith-based groups have a responsibility to speak up early, monitor developments, and educate citizens on the importance of protecting their votes.
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, and the judiciary to remain independent, adding that a credible election is the only way to ensure peace and legitimacy after 2027.
The remarks come amid growing political alignments ahead of the next election cycle, with debates already intensifying within religious, civil society, and party circles about fairness, transparency, and inclusion.
Cardinal Onaiyekan concluded by calling on Nigerians to remain vigilant, participate actively, and hold leaders accountable, stressing that democracy only works when the will of the people is respected at the ballot.
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