Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu is determined to secure a second term in 2027 by every possible means, expressing concerns about the credibility of the country’s electoral process.
The cleric made the remarks during an interview with Arise Television on Friday, a few days after a delegation of Catholic bishops met with the president at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Referring to the president’s reported comment that “in politics, all is fair,” Onaiyekan argued that such a view was inconsistent with democratic principles. He maintained that politics should be guided by ethical standards rather than an approach focused solely on electoral victory.
According to him, there are growing fears that the government is deploying its influence and available resources to strengthen its chances ahead of the 2027 elections, warning that such actions could undermine the value of voters’ choices even if elections appear free and fair.
The cardinal also questioned the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that public confidence in the electoral body would remain weak as long as its leadership is appointed by the president.
He noted that although President Tinubu has repeatedly described INEC as an independent institution, the current method of appointing its chairman and commissioners raises legitimate concerns about impartiality.
Onaiyekan cited the controversy that followed the appointment of INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan earlier this year, after an old social media post allegedly linking him to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) resurfaced.
While acknowledging that a president could appoint competent and impartial individuals, the cleric argued that, in practice, political allies and party loyalists often occupy such positions. He called for a new appointment process managed by an independent body, saying it would help strengthen public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.