The Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has strongly criticized opposition political leaders seeking to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027, warning that their failure to unite behind a single consensus candidate will hand an easy victory to the ruling party.
Speaking on political developments ahead of the next general election cycle, the prominent cleric expressed frustration over the fragmented state of the main opposition parties, arguing that their current trajectory demonstrates a complete disregard for basic electoral strategy.
Cardinal Onaiyekan asserted that opposition figures seem to “not know arithmetic,” as their refusal to merge forces will inevitably split critical votes across multiple ballot options. He noted that while many Nigerians are actively seeking a credible alternative to the current administration’s economic policies, the opposition risks alienating voters by prioritizing personal ambitions over strategic political alignment.
The revered clergyman emphasized that defeating an incumbent government requires addition rather than subtraction, urging political actors to set aside individual egos to form a formidable, unified coalition. He cautioned that if key opposition leaders continue to run independent campaigns, they will dilute their collective voting strength, effectively guaranteeing the continuation of the All Progressives Congress in power.
In addition to calling for political unity, the Cardinal urged the incumbent leadership to remain grounded and attentive to the economic hardships experienced by ordinary citizens across the nation. He reiterated that the ultimate goal of the electoral process must be to provide Nigerians with genuine, viable choices that can deliver good governance and improve the overall standard of living.
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