By Sunday Ameh
The Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has warned that voter turnout in the 2027 general elections could decline sharply if Nigerians believe the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is certain to retain power.
Speaking on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, the cleric said any perception that the outcome of the election is predetermined would discourage citizens from participating in the electoral process and undermine the legitimacy of the next government.
“My fear is that if it becomes very clear to Nigerians that no matter what happens, the APC will win, then most people won’t even bother to go to the election,” he said.
Onaiyekan stressed that restoring public confidence in the electoral process is critical to strengthening democracy and improving governance. According to him, free, fair and credible elections remain the foundation of any functional democratic system.
He attributed low voter turnout in recent elections to growing distrust in the electoral process, urging the government to rebuild confidence so that more Nigerians would believe their votes count.
The Catholic cleric also argued that Nigeria has yet to conduct a truly free and fair election, warning that flawed elections inevitably produce poor governance and hardship for citizens.
On electoral reforms, Onaiyekan called for greater independence for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), expressing concern over the appointment of its leadership by the government in power.
He also maintained that security agencies play a crucial role in determining the credibility of elections, alleging that their conduct during polls often intimidates voters.
Speaking on the forthcoming Osun State governorship election, the Cardinal urged political actors to uphold the peace accord signed under the National Peace Committee and allow voters to exercise their democratic rights without intimidation.
He appealed to politicians to prioritise public service over personal ambition, expressing hope that peace would prevail during the election.
Leave a Reply