2027: ONAIYEKAN, ARIWOOLA COUNCIL DEMAND FREE, FAIR, CREDIBLE ELECTIONS
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By: Fasasi Hammad
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 called on 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.
Onaiyekan made the call on Monday in Abuja when he received the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development and the Ariwoola-led Council of the Wise.
He urged INEC and other political stakeholders to adhere to the rules governing elections and ensure that citizens are given the opportunity to freely elect their preferred leaders.
The former archbishop also urged 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.
Onaiyekan said the focus should remain on reminding political actors and the electoral umpire of the basic principles of free, fair and credible elections.
“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,” he said.
He urged political actors, including the government and political parties, as well as INEC, to follow the rules established to guide the electoral process.
“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,” Onaiyekan said.
Speaking on the efforts of the National Peace Committee, Onaiyekan said the body had worked to promote peaceful elections, including facilitating the signing of an electoral accord by political actors committing themselves to responsible conduct.
He, however, expressed concern that some political actors had violated such commitments, while maintaining hope that the 2027 elections would be better.
Onaiyekan also expressed concern that Nigeria’s electoral process had not improved significantly since 1999.
“I don’t think it has been improving. And if you look, for example, at the voter party figures, it’s not encouraging,” he said.
He noted that the INEC Chairman, Professor Amupitan, had promised to deliver free, fair and credible elections, urging the electoral body to act independently and follow the law.
“So, to the INEC Chairman, the President says you are free. Don’t tie your own hand. Do the right thing,” Onaiyekan said.
He also urged Nigerians and political stakeholders to recognise their right to choose their leaders through elections held every four years.
“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,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Ariwoola-led Council of the Wise urged Onaiyekan to intensify his advocacy for peaceful, free, fair and credible elections ahead of 2027.
The Council also called for political campaigns to be conducted without hate speech, rancour or inflammatory statements capable of triggering violence.
Ariwoola urged political parties and candidates to abide by their respective constitutions, codes of conduct and guidelines issued by INEC.
“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,” he said.
He further urged candidates to demonstrate responsible conduct and encourage their supporters to comply with electoral laws and guidelines.
The Council of the Wise 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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