…Presidency fires back
A fresh war of words has erupted between the Presidency and Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, over the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during a television interview, Onaiyekan expressed concern over the state of the country’s democracy, warning that Nigeria could face serious challenges if elections are not genuinely free, fair and credible.
Reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s remark that “in politics, all is fair,” the Catholic cleric argued that such a position was inconsistent with democratic principles. “If that is what politics is, that in politics everything can be done, provided you win election, clearly that’s not correct”, he said.
Onaiyekan further alleged that the current administration appeared determined to retain power “by all means”. “We are worried about the fact that we see clearly that our government is bent on winning by all means. And unfortunately, they have a lot of means at their disposal to win”, he stated. He warned that even where elections are conducted, the votes of Nigerians might not ultimately determine the outcome unless the electoral system is strengthened to guarantee transparency and credibility.
The Cardinal also cautioned against the emergence of a one-party state, saying such a development would be unhealthy for a democratic nation. He questioned the independence of the electoral commission, insisting that its autonomy must be demonstrated through actions rather than assurances.
However, the Presidency swiftly dismissed the remarks, accusing Onaiyekan of making political, rather than spiritual, comments. Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, said the Cardinal did not speak for Christians as a whole but only represented the views of the Catholic Church.
According to Bwala, the Catholic hierarchy had been sympathetic to Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi during the 2023 elections, arguing that Onaiyekan’s comments reflected a political position rather than a neutral religious perspective. “Cardinal Onaiyekan wasn’t speaking for Christians; he was speaking for Catholics, the very institutions rooting for Peter Obi… Therefore, the Cardinal is more political than spiritual. And not all Catholic members are supporting Peter Obi”, Bwala said.
He also defended President Tinubu’s rejection of the Catholic Bishops’ assessment of the country’s economy during their July 28 meeting at the State House, maintaining that the President’s position was based on verifiable economic data rather than sentiment.
The exchange follows concerns earlier raised by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) over the economy, insecurity and what it described as the “creeping danger” of one-party dominance ahead of the 2027 elections.
