Cardinal John Onaiyekan has criticised opposition leaders seeking to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, warning that their failure to unite behind a single candidate could strengthen the ruling party’s chances of retaining power.
The former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja made the remarks during an appearance on the Naija Unfiltered Podcast, where he argued that opposition figures risk undermining their electoral prospects by pursuing separate presidential ambitions.
Onaiyekan said leaders opposed to the current administration should put aside their personal interests and work towards presenting Nigerians with a credible alternative.
He questioned the logic behind several opposition politicians declaring their readiness to challenge Tinubu independently, warning that splitting votes among multiple candidates could allow the incumbent to win even when a significant number of voters desire a change.
According to the cardinal, opposition leaders must understand the electoral consequences of dividing their supporters rather than working towards a common objective.
He disclosed that he had a preferred candidate among the opposition figures but stressed that personal preferences would not necessarily produce the desired outcome if the leaders failed to reach an agreement.
Onaiyekan urged opposition groups to find common ground and present a candidate capable of mounting a serious challenge to the ruling party in 2027.
He also encouraged Nigerians dissatisfied with the government’s performance to use their Permanent Voter Cards to hold elected officials accountable, noting that elections provide citizens with an opportunity to assess their leaders.
The cleric cautioned against losing faith in the democratic process, insisting that Nigeria was not ready to return to military rule.
He maintained that the priority ahead of the 2027 elections should be to ensure that Nigerians have credible alternatives and the freedom to choose their preferred leaders at the polls.
