Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that Nigerians are allowed to freely choose their leaders in the 2027 general elections.

Onaiyekan made the call while speaking at the 2026 All Nigeria Editors Conference in Enugu, where he called for reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system and protect voters’ choices.

He said elected officials, including governors, should not determine how citizens vote, stressing that voters should be free to make their own choices at the ballot box.

The Cardinal’s comments followed concerns over political statements seeking to influence voters ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Onaiyekan particularly said people in the South-East should be allowed to choose their preferred presidential candidate without interference from governors or other political leaders.

He said elections provided citizens with an opportunity to express their political preferences and urged Nigerians to exercise that right freely.

The cleric also called for a review of the process for appointing the chairman and commissioners of INEC, arguing that the electoral body needed greater independence from political office holders who participate in elections.

He said the current arrangement created a structural challenge because the government was involved in appointing INEC officials while those in government could also be contestants in elections.

Onaiyekan further advocated giving voters legal standing to challenge election results where they believed their votes had not been properly counted.

He proposed the establishment of dedicated election tribunals with strict timelines, saying electoral disputes should be resolved before elected candidates are sworn into office.

He also called for a two-round presidential election system in which a candidate would need to secure at least 50 per cent of votes cast to win outright.

Onaiyekan said the judiciary should primarily settle electoral disputes rather than effectively determine who governs, arguing that elections should be decided by voters at polling stations.

He urged political actors and electoral institutions to work within the existing legal framework to deliver free, fair and credible elections in 2027, while encouraging the next National Assembly to pursue broader electoral reforms.