The Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John 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 regardless of the outcome.
He said such a perception would discourage participation and weaken the legitimacy of any government that emerges from the polls.
Speaking on Eagle 102.5 FM on Monday, Onaiyekan stressed that democracy could only thrive through free, fair and credible elections. According to him, flawed elections produce poor governance, while restoring public confidence in the electoral process is essential to improving leadership and increasing voter participation.
The cleric lamented that Nigeria had yet to conduct a truly free and fair election, attributing low voter turnout to widespread public perception that the process would not be fair.
He urged those in authority to rebuild trust in the electoral system ahead of the 2027 polls, saying it is in the country’s interest to encourage greater citizen participation.
Onaiyekan also raised concerns about the conduct of security agencies during elections, arguing that intimidation by security personnel undermines the credibility of the process.
While acknowledging the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he said the electoral body alone could not guarantee credible elections without broader institutional reforms.
He called for reforms to Nigeria’s electoral framework, particularly the process of appointing INEC’s leadership, arguing that allowing the government in power to appoint the commission’s leadership raises questions about impartiality and should be reviewed to strengthen public confidence in the country’s democratic process.
