Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has warned that Nigerians may boycott the 2027 general elections if they believe the outcome is predetermined in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

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Speaking on Eagle 102.5 FM in Ilese-Ijebu on Monday, Onaiyekan said public confidence in the electoral process must be restored to ensure credible participation. He cautioned that any perception that the APC would win regardless of the votes cast could discourage citizens from turning out, ultimately weakening the legitimacy of the government that emerges.

The cleric stressed that democracy can only produce good governance through free, fair and credible elections, arguing that flawed elections inevitably lead to poor leadership and hardship for citizens. He lamented that Nigeria has yet to conduct a truly free and fair election and linked declining voter turnout to widespread public disillusionment.

Onaiyekan also raised concerns about the conduct of security agencies during elections, alleging that intimidation by security personnel undermines electoral credibility. While acknowledging the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he said the appointment process for its leadership should be reviewed to strengthen public trust, noting that appointments by the government in power often create doubts about the commission’s independence.

He called for comprehensive electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 polls, urging the government to rebuild confidence in the democratic process so that more Nigerians would be encouraged to participate in choosing their leaders.