“If You Want To Rally Around Some Soldiers To Take Over Power, You Are Wasting Your Time- Onaiyekan

John Cardinal Onaiyekan, the Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, has cautioned Nigerians against supporting any attempt to return the country to military rule, insisting that democratic elections remain the legitimate means of choosing political leaders.

The Catholic cleric made this known during an interview on SYMFONI TV’s Nigeria Unfiltered programme, where he discussed the country’s political climate and the growing conversations surrounding the 2027 general election. He expressed concern over the frustration some Nigerians feel towards the electoral process, particularly among those who believe that voting has failed to produce the changes they desire.

Addressing the possibility of citizens supporting soldiers to overthrow a democratically elected government, Onaiyekan warned that such an approach would not provide a lasting solution to the country’s political challenges.

“If you want to rally around some soldiers to take over power, you are wasting your time. Nigeria is not ready anymore for another 30 years of military rule,” he said.

Onaiyekan explained that elections give citizens an opportunity to evaluate the performance of those in government and determine whether they deserve another term in office. He maintained that public dissatisfaction with political leaders should encourage greater participation in the democratic process rather than push citizens towards abandoning it.

According to the cleric, Nigerians should recognise that elections provide a constitutional avenue for expressing their preferences and demanding accountability from elected officials. He argued that refusing to participate because of disappointment with previous electoral outcomes would limit the ability of citizens to influence the country’s political direction.

The former Archbishop of Abuja further stressed that political officeholders should understand that their authority comes from the people they represent. He maintained that elected leaders are public servants entrusted with responsibilities on behalf of citizens, rather than individuals entitled to exercise power without accountability.

He also pointed out that winning an election for a four-year term does not automatically guarantee continued leadership beyond that period. Instead, politicians seeking another term must return to the electorate and secure a fresh mandate through the established electoral process.

Onaiyekan encouraged Nigerians who are dissatisfied with the performance of the government to use their votes to express their concerns. He suggested that elections provide an opportunity to retain leaders whose performance meets public expectations or choose alternatives when voters believe a change is necessary.

However, Onaiyekan also raised concerns about the apparent divisions among opposition politicians. He observed that several individuals critical of the current administration were pursuing separate presidential ambitions, potentially complicating efforts to establish a united alternative.

In his view, the presence of multiple presidential aspirants with competing interests could make it more difficult for opposition groups to consolidate their support. His comments highlighted the importance of political organisation and the need for opposition parties to clearly communicate their proposals to the electorate.

Nevertheless, the cleric’s central message remained that Nigeria’s political challenges should be addressed within the framework of democracy. He maintained that returning to military government would not be a constructive response to dissatisfaction with elected officials.

Nigeria experienced several periods of military government before returning to civilian democratic rule in 1999. Since then, elections have provided the formal mechanism for transferring political power, despite continuing debates about electoral credibility, governance and the performance of elected leaders.

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