John Cardinal Onaiyekan, the Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, has expressed deep concern regarding the 2027 general elections. He warned that if Nigerians become convinced that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is destined to win regardless of the ballot, the electorate will likely shun the polls entirely.
Speaking on a radio broadcast on Eagle 102.5 FM, the cleric noted that public perception is as vital as the actual voting process. He argued that a predetermined outlook discourages participation and undermines the legitimacy of any administration that takes office. According to the Cardinal, democracy falters when elections lack credibility, as poor electoral standards inevitably result in subpar governance and increased public hardship.
Onaiyekan emphasized that the government holds the responsibility to restore public trust to ensure higher voter turnout. He highlighted that while the military era did not require elections, the current democratic dispensation mandates that leaders act in the interest of the people. Therefore, silence from the citizenry is not an option when those in power fail to uphold their mandates.
The Archbishop also pointed to the conduct of security agencies, suggesting that their habit of intimidating voters—often through displays of force—negates the neutrality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He called for significant electoral reforms, specifically focusing on the appointment process of INEC leadership. He argued that allowing the ruling party to select the electoral body’s leadership creates a conflict of interest that requires urgent structural review to ensure a fair playing field.
