Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Emeritus Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abuja, has called out those who rigged the February 25, 2023, presidential and governorship elections in Nigeria, saying that they know what they did and God knows them too. Onaiyekan made this statement while speaking on a Channels TV programme, stressing that while the courts and tribunals handling the various election petitions may not know who rigged the elections, the perpetrators themselves and God are aware of their actions.
Onaiyekan expressed his belief that winners of contested elections should not be sworn in until the conclusion of the matter. He described the current situation in Nigeria as anomalous, with a declared President-elect whose victory is being challenged in court. He stated that it does not make much sense to swear in people while they are still in court, and he is waiting for the court to determine who won the election. He called for a review of the election process to ensure a winner is declared and sworn in, and everyone can rally around.
The Cardinal also spoke about the importance of doing the right thing, saying that Nigerians who call on the name of God have refused to follow God’s precept to do what is right. He pointed out that even countries that do not mention God still manage to organize their affairs well. However, Nigerians must live according to God’s will if they choose to keep invoking His name. Onaiyekan emphasized that those who rigged the election, those who didn’t allow the people’s will to prevail, and those who heated up the polity, all know what they did in their hearts of hearts, and God knows them too.
On February 25, 2023, Bola Tinubu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress was declared the winner of the presidential election. However, his victory is being contested in court by some of his challengers, including Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party. Onaiyekan expressed disappointment that it is taking too long for the court to make a decision on the matter.