CARDINAL ONAIYEKAN URGES INEC CHAIRMAN AMUPITAN TO DO THE RIGHT THING, ENSURE FREE AND FAIR 2027 ELECTION
CARDINAL ONAIYEKAN URGES INEC CHAIRMAN AMUPITAN TO DO THE RIGHT THING, ENSURE FREE AND FAIR 2027 ELECTION
Former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has urged the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, to remain independent and ensure that Nigerians are allowed to freely choose their leaders in the 2027 general elections.
Onaiyekan made the call on Monday, September 28, 2026, in Abuja when he received a delegation from the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development and the Council of the Wise, led by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
The cleric urged INEC and other political stakeholders to follow the rules governing elections and work towards ensuring that the 2027 polls are free, fair and credible.
Onaiyekan specifically addressed the new INEC chairman, saying he should carry out his responsibilities without allowing himself to be pressured into violating electoral rules.
“Professor Amupitan, INEC Chairman, has promised us that he’s going to deliver a free, fair, and credible election,” Onaiyekan said.
He subsequently urged the electoral body’s leadership to operate independently and follow the rules without succumbing to undue pressure.
“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,” the former archbishop said.
Onaiyekan also called on all political actors to take responsibility for their conduct and avoid making excuses for actions that could undermine the credibility of the electoral process.
“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,” he said.
The former archbishop also expressed concern over the state of Nigeria’s electoral process, arguing that the quality of elections had not improved significantly since the country returned to democratic rule in 1999.
“I don’t think it has been improving. And if you look, for example, at the voter party figures, it’s not encouraging,” Onaiyekan said.
He further argued that Nigeria does not need highly sophisticated technology to conduct credible elections, insisting that existing electoral rules are sufficient if properly followed by those responsible for administering the polls.
“You don’t need AI to have a free and fair election. We have rules that are practical. Let them do that,” he said.
Onaiyekan also urged security agencies to maintain professionalism during the 2027 elections and warned against actions that could create tension or turn the country into what he described as a “war zone” because of the polls.
He stressed that elections should remain an opportunity for Nigerians to exercise their constitutional right to choose their leaders rather than becoming a source of violence or political intimidation.
The cleric said Nigerians should be allowed to exercise their voting rights freely, noting that elections provide citizens with an opportunity every four years to decide who should govern them.
“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,” he said.
“They should allow us to enjoy that right to choose who we want to rule us.”
The call comes as INEC, political parties, security agencies and other stakeholders intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the independence and conduct of the electoral body remaining central to discussions about the polls.
Onaiyekan had also recently criticised attempts by political office holders to influence voters, saying governors should not determine who citizens vote for during elections.
He previously stated that governors, including Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, have only one vote like every other eligible voter and should not dictate the choices of other citizens.
According to the former archbishop, elections should be conducted freely and fairly without unnecessary complications, stressing that “elections are not rocket science.”
Street News Reporters reports that the 2027 general elections are scheduled to take place amid increased preparations by INEC and growing calls from civic and religious leaders for political actors, electoral officials and security agencies to uphold the rules and protect voters’ rights.
