Onaiyekan calls for credible 2027 elections and professional security conduct

Cardinal John Onaiyekan has urged Nigeria’s electoral commission and political actors to ensure that citizens can freely choose their leaders in the 2027 general elections. The former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja spoke on Monday when he received the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development and the Council of the Wise, led by former Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, in Abuja. Onaiyekan called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, political parties and government to follow the rules governing elections.

He said the government should be included among the political actors because it has a party contesting the polls. He also urged security agencies to remain professional and warned against conduct that could heighten tension or turn the country into a “war zone”. He said the National Peace Committee had worked to promote peaceful elections, including through an electoral accord, but expressed concern that some political actors had violated such commitments.

Onaiyekan said Nigeria’s elections had not improved significantly since 1999 and expressed concern about voter and party figures. He appealed to INEC chairman Professor Amupitan to act independently and do what was necessary to deliver a free, fair and credible election. Ariwoola asked Onaiyekan to intensify appeals to politicians ahead of the campaign season.

He urged candidates and parties to avoid hate speech, rancour and inflammatory statements, and to comply with their constitutions, codes of conduct and INEC guidelines. The Council of the Wise comprises prominent Nigerians from the country’s six geopolitical zones. Its stated mandate is to engage stakeholders, promote national unity and strengthen democratic governance.