By Samson Adeyanju
Eminent Catholic cleric and Emeritus Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not return to office in 2027 if the elections are conducted freely and fairly, given the prevailing hardship and dissatisfaction among Nigerians.
Cardinal Onaiyekan, a former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, made this assertion at a media workshop where he assessed the current administration’s performance two years after assuming office.
He expressed concern over the worsening economic conditions and deepening poverty, stating that the government’s failure to significantly improve citizens’ welfare may cost it reelection.
“If he continues like this for the rest of his term, and we have a free and fair election, he will not win,” Onaiyekan said pointedly. “How can the country bring him back if we are not feeling good?”
He challenged President Tinubu to move beyond the praise-singing of sycophants and confront the real suffering of ordinary Nigerians.
“Let him find ways to know how Nigerians are actually surviving-how people are managing on ₦30,000 minimum wage per month,” he said.
Cardinal Onaiyekan emphasized that governance should be people-focused and warned against information manipulation by state media or government officials.
He advised the president to adopt policies that directly impact the masses and improve living conditions.
“It’s not too late,” he added. “This is a halfway mark. If he shifts gear and truly targets the poor, Nigerians will remember him. But if this continues, they will remember too-and they will vote.”
He also lamented the increasing desperation of young Nigerians seeking to leave the country, saying their frustration reflects the lack of hope in the system. “So many young boys and girls are begging me to help them travel abroad. It breaks my heart.”
On the role of the media, Cardinal Onaiyekan encouraged journalists to remain professional, responsible, and hopeful in their reporting despite the depressing environment.
He urged them to tell the truth while inspiring optimism, stressing that independent media still plays a vital role in strengthening democracy.
He concluded by calling on regulatory bodies like the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), to serve the people rather than act as political watchmen for the government.
