Onaiyekan Doubts Tinubu’s Chances in Transparent Elections

John Onaiyekan, a former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja and cardinal, has voiced concerns over President Bola Tinubu’s chances in the 2027 election, arguing that if the president sticks to his current policies, it might seriously hurt his chances of winning reelection.
Onaiyekan reportedly made the comments on Wednesday in an interview with reporters in Abuja after attending the public lecture held by the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) during Communication Week.

The cardinal warned that the president’s political prospects may suffer as a result of what he saw as a widening gulf between the Nigerian authorities and the populace.

He underlined the need for policies that are in line with the realities of the people and encouraged the president to recognize the hardships faced by regular Nigerians.

“My advice for Mr. President is to find ways and means of finding out what Nigeria is actually going through,” Onaiyekan stated.

Not those in his immediate vicinity who constantly give him high praise. They ought to learn. These days, it is the responsibility of all leaders.

“Although it wouldn’t be a horrible idea, I’m not telling him to move to Mpape and stay for two days. However, he should be able to learn about the survival of the people in Mpape. He should also be aware of how families are making ends meet on a daily wage of N30,000.

He should do more to improve the standard of living for Nigerians because they are the ones he is supposed to serve.

“I don’t think it is unfair to the government to suggest that we have seen a significant decline in our level of well-being over the past two years. The government can claim that they are not to blame.

They may claim to have given it their all. However, the purpose of the government is to prevent such from happening. The government exists to ensure that Nigerians’ standard of living is maintained and, if feasible, enhanced.

Additionally, it seems like a fantastic moment. For him to at least attempt that, two years is halfway done.

They will always remember him if he shifts his focus in that area and implements policies that truly help Nigeria’s impoverished citizens.

But if he keeps acting in this manner for the remainder of his tenure, he won’t win in a free and fair election. Because if we are not feeling well, how can the nation bring him back?

“Of course, if they have already decided and are not waiting for us to vote, then if we win, then fine, we applaud the country; we will go on.” Going down, going down…

According to him, the president ought to effectively lead the nation and make it livable for the average Nigerian.

There are still 250 million of us in this country,” Onaiyekan stated. We are fighting, and we will prevail. I thus hope that Mr. President will receive that counsel from those around him.

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“The elections took place more than two years ago. Whether or not he won the election, he is no longer concerned. We have finally agreed after the Supreme Court ruled that he won.

We’ve decided he prevailed. The Supreme Court stated that there is nowhere else for us to turn. He should now merely govern, deal with security everywhere, raise the standard of living for Nigerians, combat corruption, and improve our people’s economic situation.