Onaiyekan To INEC: Let Nigerians Choose Their Leaders — 2027 Election Must Not Become Political Tug-of-War

As Nigerians inches closer to the 2027 general elections, former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has once again reminded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and political actors of what should ordinarily be the simplest rule in an election: allow Nigerians to choose their leaders. The Cardinal made the call on Monday in Abuja when he received the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development and the Council of the Wise, led by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

In a country where election season can sometimes make politicians behave as though every ballot paper comes with a family inheritance attached, Onaiyekan urged all stakeholders to obey the rules and protect the people’s right to make their choice freely. He also called for professionalism from security agencies, warning against conduct capable of turning political competition into a crisis.

Onaiyekan Urges INEC to Allow Nigerians Freely Choose Leaders in 2027

Onaiyekan’s message was straightforward: political actors and the electoral umpire should play according to the rules. His appeal comes as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify, with INEC already conducting readiness activities and repeatedly discussing neutrality, electoral administration and the challenges that could affect the process.

The Cardinal’s intervention also fits into the broader work of the Council of the Wise, which has been engaging political and institutional stakeholders ahead of the elections. Led by Ariwoola, the council has been advocating peaceful campaigns and credible elections, while encouraging politicians and candidates to respect electoral rules and avoid inflammatory conduct.

Onaiyekan Warns INEC and Politicians: Don’t Hijack Nigerians’ Right to Choose

The satire practically writes itself: Nigerians are being reminded that an election is supposed to be a competition for votes, not a contest to see who can produce the longest list of excuses after voting ends. Onaiyekan’s warning places responsibility on INEC, political parties, candidates, government actors and security agencies to ensure that citizens can exercise their constitutional choice without intimidation or unnecessary tension.

INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan has also publicly stated that the commission has no candidate or political party to favour and has been outlining preparations for the 2027 elections. Meanwhile, INEC’s published schedule identifies January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, followed by the governorship and State Assembly elections on February 6. The calendar is therefore moving, whether politicians are ready or still busy warming up their campaign microphones.

For now, Onaiyekan’s message remains a familiar but important one: Nigerians should be allowed to choose their leaders, political actors should obey the rules, and institutions responsible for the election should do their jobs professionally. With the 2027 contest drawing closer, OGM News NG will continue watching the political temperature, the electoral preparations and the many promises that are certain to arrive before election day.