ABUJA — Former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, and the Council of Wise, led by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, security agencies and political actors to ensure credible, peaceful and transparent elections in 2027.
Onaiyekan made the call on Monday in Abuja when he received members of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development and the Council of Wise led by Ariwoola.
He urged INEC and other stakeholders in the electoral process to adhere strictly to the rules, saying Nigerians should be allowed to freely choose their leaders without undue interference.
The cleric also charged security agencies to remain professional and impartial during elections, warning against actions that could heighten tension or turn the country into a “war zone.”
According to him, the government, political actors and INEC all have responsibilities in ensuring that elections reflect the will of the electorate.
Onaiyekan said the National Peace Committee and other stakeholders had over the years promoted commitments to peaceful elections, but expressed concern that some political actors had not always honoured such commitments.
He expressed hope that the 2027 elections would represent an improvement in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The former archbishop also urged the current INEC leadership, headed by Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, to uphold the commission’s independence and ensure that its decisions are guided by electoral laws and the interests of the electorate.
He said technology, including artificial intelligence, should not be allowed to overshadow the fundamental principle that elections must enable citizens to freely choose their leaders.
On his part, Ariwoola appealed to Onaiyekan to intensify his interventions for peaceful elections and continue to engage political leaders and other stakeholders ahead of 2027.
He urged political parties and candidates to respect the Constitution, electoral laws and INEC guidelines, while calling on them to avoid hate speech, inflammatory statements and other actions capable of inciting violence.
Ariwoola also urged political leaders to lead by example and place the unity and stability of the country above partisan interests.
The Council of Wise comprises prominent Nigerians drawn from the six geopolitical zones and is focused on engaging political and civic stakeholders on issues of national unity, peace and democratic governance.
Under the current INEC timetable, the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for February 20, 2027, while the governorship and State House of Assembly elections are scheduled for March 6, 2027.
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