2027: I have preference among opposition leaders, but they don’t know arithmetic — Onaiyekan
Cardinal Onaiyekan Urges Opposition Unity Ahead of 2027 Elections
Former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has expressed his support for a candidate among the opposition leaders preparing to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 elections. However, he criticized these leaders for their inability to unite behind a common alternative.
In an interview on the Naija Unfiltered Podcast, Onaiyekan warned that allowing multiple opposition candidates to vie for votes could inadvertently ensure the ruling party’s continued dominance. He emphasized the necessity for opposition figures to set aside personal ambitions in order to present a united front to the electorate.
Onaiyekan urged Nigerians to engage critically with the electoral process, advocating for voters to utilize their ballots to evaluate the effectiveness of their leaders. He remarked, “Once in four years during elections, the people have the opportunity to assess their leaders, who are meant to be their representatives, not their bosses.” He encouraged citizens dissatisfied with the current government to leverage their voter registration to effect change, calling elections a fundamental mechanism for political accountability.
The cardinal also addressed the increasing disillusionment with the electoral process, asserting that the nation must not revert to military rule. He noted that the primary concern leading up to the 2027 elections is the availability of credible alternatives for voters. “We all know who the government is, but we don’t know what the alternative is,” he stated.
Onaiyekan criticized opposition leaders who believe they can individually defeat Tinubu without coordinating their efforts. “Five people saying this government is not good, and each one says, ‘it’s me who will rule’—they don’t know arithmetic,” he said, highlighting the dilemma of vote fragmentation. He pointed out that if multiple candidates split the opposition vote, the incumbent could win by default.
When asked about the possibility of a coalition among opposition leaders, Onaiyekan stressed the need for diverse groups to find common ground and select a single candidate capable of challenging the ruling party. “These scattered voices should find a way of coming together to give us a viable alternative that we can vote for,” he stated.
While Onaiyekan acknowledged having a preferred candidate within the opposition, he cautioned that individual preferences would not lead to the desired change if leaders remain divided. “It’s not as if I don’t have my preference, but I’m not happy if I vote my preference, you vote your own, and they vote their own,” he remarked.
The cardinal concluded by asserting that the opposition must not only reject the existing administration but also agree on a concrete vision for what should replace it.
