A former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan, to resist any plot to rig the 2027 Presidential election in favour of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and ensure that the will of Nigerians prevails.

The Cardinal made the call on Monday, September 28, 2026, in Abuja, when he received a Delegation from the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development and the Council of the Wise, led by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

Onaiyekan urged INEC and Political Stakeholders to follow the Electoral Rules, and ensure that the 2027 polls are free, fair and credible, warning against any form of pressure and manipulation.

Speaking directly to the INEC Chairman, the respected Cleric said:

“Professor Amupitan, INEC Chairman, has promised us that he is going to deliver a free, fair and credible election.”

He charged Amupitan not to tie his own hands, and to do the right thing.

The Cardinal added: “So, to the INEC Chairman, the President says you are free. Do not tie your own hand. Do the right thing. The President says you are free. He is not going to put undue pressure for you to do the wrong thing.

“So, everybody must be responsible for what they do. And so there will be no room for people to be looking for excuses for not doing the right thing.”

Onaiyekan, who has been vocal on the spiritual and moral direction for Nigeria’s democracy, expressed worry that Nigeria’s elections have not improved since 1999, citing discouraging voter turnout, and insisted that Nigerians must be allowed to choose their Leaders in 2027, for once.

He stated: “You do not need AI to have a free and fair election. We have Rules that are practical. Let them do that. Let Nigerians, for once, there are only once in four years… They should allow us to enjoy that right to choose who we want to rule us.”