Cardinal John Onaiyekan, the Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, has stated that the people of the Southeast ought to be free to select whichever presidential candidate they prefer, without state governors meddling in that decision.
Onaiyekan made this remark on Thursday during an interview with Afia TV in Enugu, as he answered questions regarding recent comments by Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo on how the Igbo should cast their votes in the 2027 presidential election.
In recent months, Soludo has called on Ndigbo to steer clear of what he termed “wasting” their votes while at the same time promoting strategic political involvement by the South-East.
He has likewise come out publicly in support of President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 election.
When asked about Soludo’s stance, Onaiyekan replied that he was unaware of what the governor had told the Igbo, but he maintained that voters must be permitted to decide for themselves.
“I don’t know what Soludo has told the Ndigbo. All I can say is that Ndigbo should be allowed to freely choose who should be their president.”
He argued that governors, despite being elected representatives, should not dictate how citizens exercise their franchise during elections.
“It is not the duty of governors to teach, to tell people how they should vote.”
Onaiyekan stated that governors themselves would have the opportunity to participate in the election by casting their own ballots, saying other voters should similarly be allowed to make their choices without pressure.
“The governors will have their own votes now. Every governor will be able to vote. He will vote for himself. Let others do.”
He also mentioned that elections provide citizens with an opportunity to express their political preferences and urged Nigerians to exercise that right freely.
“At least, that’s the only opportunity that we have to express our minds. Let us do it.”
The remarks were made as Onaiyekan also pushed for changes to Nigeria’s electoral system, among them a rule that a presidential candidate must obtain at least 50 per cent of the votes cast before being declared the winner.
He further urged that the appointment of INEC leadership follow a more independent process and that election petitions be resolved before elected candidates are sworn in.
