2027: Allow Nigerians choose their leaders, Onaiyekan urges INEC

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Ahead of the 2027 general elections, former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, and the Council of the Wise, led by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, have urged the Independent National Electoral Commission and political actors to ensure that Nigerians are allowed to freely choose their leaders through a free, fair and credible electoral process.

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Onaiyekan stated this on Monday in Abuja when he received the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development and the Ariwoola-led Council of the Wise, urging the electoral umpire and political stakeholders to abide by the rules governing elections and ensure that Nigerians are allowed to freely choose their leaders.

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He also called on security agencies to maintain professionalism during the 2027 elections, warning against actions that could create tension or turn the country into a “war zone” because of the polls.

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Onaiyekan stated, “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. I hope that people, both the political gladiators and I hate the word, because gladiators are not very nice people actors, political competitors on the field.

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“And the umpire, that is the INEC. When I say the political actors, I include the government, because the government has a party that is also in the race. All of them, if they will follow the rules that we have made for ourselves, things will work well.”

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On the efforts of the National Peace Committee, Onaiyekan said the committee had done its best to promote peaceful elections, including organising the signing of an electoral accord by political actors committing themselves to responsible conduct.

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He, however, expressed concern that some political actors had violated such commitments, saying he remained hopeful that the 2027 elections would be better.

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Onaiyekan added that Nigeria’s elections had not improved significantly since 1999. He continued, “I don’t think it has been improving. And if you look, for example, at the voter party figures, it’s not encouraging. Professor Amupitan, INEC Chairman, has promised us that he’s going to deliver a free, fair, and credible election.

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“So, to the INEC Chairman, the President says you are free. Don’t tie your own hand. Do the right thing. The President says you are free. He’s not going to put undue pressure for you to do the wrong thing. So everybody must be responsible for what they do. And so there will be no room for people to be looking for excuses for not doing the right thing.

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“You don’t need AI to have a free and fair election. We have rules that are practical. Let them do that. Let Nigerians, for once, there are only once in four years. We forget that, after four years, we would have another chance for us as individuals to talk and make our decision about who rules us. They should allow us to enjoy that right to choose who we want to rule us.”

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In his remarks, the Ariwoola-led Council of the Wise urged Cardinal Onaiyekan to intensify calls on politicians to ensure peaceful, free, fair and credible elections in 2027, while avoiding hate speech, rancour and inflammatory statements capable of triggering violence.

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The former Chief Justice of Nigeria also urged political parties and candidates to abide by their constitutions, codes of conduct and INEC guidelines.

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He stated, “Your Eminence, the main purpose of the Council’s visit to you, is to appreciate the fatherly role you have been playing in Nigeria and to request you to double the efforts in appealing to the Nigerian politicians to always listen to their own wise counsel during the upcoming political campaigns in order to have peaceful, free, fair and successful 2027 elections.

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“It is also important for His Eminence to call on all candidates to ensure that the Political Campaigns are devoid of rancour, hate speech, inflammatory and unguided utterances capable of instigating violence. Nigeria deserves peaceful, transparent 2027 elections.

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“The Council will be very grateful if His Eminence would join it in appealing to leaderships of political parties in Nigeria to always abide by the Codes of Conduct and Constitutions of their respective parties so that they could earn the trust and respect of the electorate.

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“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. They should lead in compelling members of their political parties and supporters to fully comply with the electoral laws and guidelines issued by the electoral umpire, in order to develop a culture of integrity and trust.”

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The Ariwoola-led Council comprises prominent Nigerians drawn from the six geopolitical zones and is mandated to engage stakeholders, promote national unity and strengthen democratic governance.

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