Cardinal Onaiyekan Urges Opposition Unity Ahead of 2027 Elections

Cardinal John Onaiyekan, the former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, has shared his thoughts on the upcoming 2027 general election. He revealed that he has a preferred opposition leader to challenge President Bola Tinubu but warned that divisions among opposition figures could help the ruling party.

During an interview on the Naija Unfiltered Podcast, Onaiyekan stressed that if opposition leaders do not agree on a single candidate, they risk splitting the votes against Tinubu. This could allow the president to win even if many voters want a change. He urged opposition politicians to set aside personal ambitions and work together to present a credible alternative to Nigerians.

Onaiyekan also encouraged citizens unhappy with the government’s performance to use their votes to hold elected officials accountable. He highlighted that elections are a crucial time for people to assess their leaders, saying, “Once in four years during the election, the people have the opportunity to assess their leaders.” He dismissed the idea that elections cannot bring about meaningful change and urged Nigerians to maintain faith in the democratic process.

He cautioned against any thoughts of returning to military rule, insisting that the country must work within its democratic system to solve political issues. Onaiyekan pointed out that the main question for the 2027 election is whether the opposition can provide a convincing alternative to the current government.

He argued that opposition leaders must recognize the risks of competing against each other rather than uniting behind one candidate. He stated, “Five people saying this government is not good, and each one says it’s me who will rule. They don’t know arithmetic.” Onaiyekan emphasized that if opposition leaders do not coordinate their efforts, they could inadvertently allow the president to stay in power.

While expressing concern over the lack of unity among opposition figures, Onaiyekan mentioned he has his own preferred candidate among those challenging Tinubu. However, he noted that personal preferences would not matter if opposition leaders continue to pursue separate ambitions, which could divide the votes of those wanting change.

He concluded by stating that opposition leaders need to move beyond just criticizing the current administration and instead work together to present a unified leadership and policy platform for the 2027 elections.