Cardinal John Onaiyekan, former Archbishop of Abuja, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s electoral system to ensure the emergence of leaders through transparent and credible polls.
He made the call on Wednesday in Abuja at the public presentation of two books—The Quintessential Leader and Canons of Leadership—authored by Dr. AK Etta Peters, a former university lecturer.
Onaiyekan, a former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, urged Nigerians to insist on free and fair elections as the country moves toward the 2027 general elections.
He stressed that Nigeria’s persistent challenges stem from a flawed electoral process rather than any inherent defect in the character of its people.
He warned that the country’s struggles are driven by a political system that enables a select few to hand-pick candidates and manipulate vote totals, thereby subverting the democratic will of the electorate.
“Nigerians are good people,” he said. “But if we have bad leaders, things go wrong.”
Tracing the roots of Nigeria’s electoral crisis to 1999, the cardinal alleged that a small group of self-styled political leaders routinely decide candidates behind closed doors and later distort election results.
“The height of this is that we vote and they cut our votes,” he said, urging citizens to stand firm in demanding a truly democratic process ahead of 2027.
He added that any government deserving of a second term must first show respect for the will of the people.
Onaiyekan also criticized exorbitant candidacy fees—sometimes as high as N30 million—charged by some political parties, questioning how ordinary Nigerians could afford such sums without resorting to corrupt practices.
He called for reforms that would allow independent candidates to contest, arguing that this would reduce the stranglehold of political party machines.
He acknowledged that independent candidates may not immediately become viable at the presidential level but noted that they would have meaningful impact in local government elections, where they could help loosen the grip of party elites who treat political structures as personal enterprises.
He further lamented that many political platforms have become “money banks” owned by a select few, instead of serving the public interest.
“They should rid themselves,” he remarked, urging leaders to prioritize the nation’s welfare over personal enrichment.
Onaiyekan reiterated the need for a secular, law-abiding state where citizens can move freely, children can attend school, and the rule of law prevails.
Speaking about his books, Dr. AK Peters emphasized that Nigeria’s problems are rooted in leadership failure.
He argued that getting leadership right is key to resolving the country’s challenges.
Peters, author of The Quintessential Leader and Canons of Leadership, said Nigeria had become a “nation of indigence” rather than of active citizens, stressing that the country would become an “elder” the moment Nigerians rise to their civic responsibilities.
He explained that the books emerged from his research into the essential qualities of effective leadership, saying he discovered that a good leader can rescue any nation, organisation, or society from decline.
According to him, Nigeria’s salvation lies in the ballot box, not through coups or other undemocratic methods.
He lamented the continued occurrence of military takeovers in Africa, describing them as tragic in the 21st century.
Peters also highlighted the importance of literacy, explaining that illiteracy extends beyond the inability to read and write to the failure to use knowledge for personal and societal improvement.
He urged Nigerians to embrace a reading culture, saying, “The more you read, the better you become.”
He called for a shift from passive spectatorship to active citizenship, insisting that Nigerians must take ownership of their destiny. With effective leadership, he said, Nigeria can overcome its challenges and thrive.
The books were reviewed by Dr. Bona Ugwuja, Supreme Subordinate Knight of Saints International, and Prof. Camillus Oguakwa.
Reviewing Canons of Leadership, Ugwuja said leadership at all levels must embody noble character and the capacity to carry citizens along in decision-making.
He added that The Quintessential Leader offers principles and pathways for addressing Nigeria’s problems and expressed hope that it would inspire a new generation of leaders committed to national progress.
