Onaiyekan Calls For Electoral Reforms, Citizen Right To Challenge Election Results
ARCHBISHOP Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has called for far-reaching reforms to Nigeria’s electoral system, including allowing citizens to challenge election results and ensuring that electoral disputes are resolved before elected officials are sworn into office.
Onaiyekan made the proposals in his keynote address at the 2026 All Nigeria Editors Conference in Enugu, where he examined democracy, elections and the role of the media in Nigeria.
He said Nigeria needed to continue working towards a democratic system that respected the wishes of citizens and served the common good.
Onaiyekan called for a review of the process for appointing the Chairman and commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He argued that the appointment process should be structured in a way that reduces dependence on the President and state governors, who are themselves participants in elections.
He also called for reforms to the appointment of members of State Independent Electoral Commissions.
The Cardinal proposed the establishment of a special election tribunal dedicated exclusively to resolving electoral disputes within a specified period.
He further called for electoral laws to give citizens, as electors, the right to challenge election results where they believe the votes they cast were not properly counted.
According to him, the current system, under which candidates have the legal standing to challenge results, does not sufficiently recognise the interests of the citizens whose votes are at stake.
Onaiyekan also argued that election tribunal cases should be concluded before the swearing-in of candidates where possible.
He said prolonged post-election litigation could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
The Archbishop Emeritus also advocated provisions for independent candidates, particularly at the local government level.
He argued that citizens should be able to support respected members of their communities who do not belong to political parties without requiring such candidates to secure adoption by a political party.
Onaiyekan also proposed that a presidential candidate should secure at least 50 per cent of votes cast to be declared winner, with a second round between the two leading candidates where no candidate achieves the threshold.
He further called for stricter rules governing the movement of legislators from one political party to another, suggesting that lawmakers who change parties should return to their constituencies to seek a fresh mandate.
The Cardinal said the seven proposals should be considered by the National Assembly that emerges from the 2027 elections.
Onaiyekan said Nigeria should not abandon efforts to improve its democratic system despite the difficulties associated with democratic governance.
He maintained that the ultimate objective should be a government freely chosen by the people and committed to the common good.
He also urged the media to hold political leaders accountable while maintaining professional autonomy and resisting pressure from government, private organisations and other interests.
According to him, a free press remains necessary for genuine democracy and should use its freedom responsibly to strengthen democratic governance.
