‘Those who rigged the election know they did, God knows too’– Cardinal Onaiyekan, decries Nigeria’s ‘anomalous’ electoral laws (+Video)

Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan has declared that the just-concluded February 25, 2023  Presidential elections in the country was rigged, adding however, that while the court may not know the truth, the people who executed the plot know, ‘And the wonderful thing is that God himself knows them.’

Speaking as guest on a Channels Television’s programme, Thursday, Cardinal Onaiyekan further decried the electoral laws of the country and the position of the consitution which allows for the swearing in of a winning candidate even while the case is still in court, saying the situation is ‘anomalous.’

According to the 80-year-old Catholic cleric, he still believes in a new Nigeria, as he enthused that ‘it is possible.’

“I am 80, so I am not going anywhere. I am still dreaming that before I go to paradise, I should see a better Nigeria, and I believe it is possible.

“Those who rigged the election know they did it. Those who refused to allow the people’s will to prevail, they know. And the wonderful thing is that God himself knows them.

“Even the court may not know, but God knows them. And they know themselves.

“The more we mention God is the more we should be on guard not to be using the name of God in vain.

“There are countries that did not want to mention God, but they are running their affairs well.

“But if we decide to keep mentioning God, then we must run our affairs according to the will of God”.

Also commenting on Nigeria’s electoral laws which allows for winning candidates to be sworn in even while court litigation is going on, Cardinal Onaiyekan described the system as ‘not right.’

Specifically, the Catholic cleric expressed displeasure that the inauguration of Bola Tinubu will go ahead on May 29, this year despite the petitions filed by the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, is yet to heard at the Presidential Elections Petitions Tribunal, where both presented evidence challenging the emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer as president-elect.

According to Cardinal Onaiyekan, ‘it doesn’t make much sense’ for President-elect Bola Tinubu to be sworn in before the conclusion of the election tribunal fixed May 8 for hearing.

Onaiyekan said that the system of electioneering in the nation should be reviewed, noting that it would produce winners who don’t have the shadow of the court lurking behind their victory.

“There are cases in court that have not been disposed of. That is why we are in an anomalous situation. We have a president-elect whose election is being challenged and the court is handling it.

“I’m still waiting for the court to tell me who won the election. It doesn’t make much sense to be swearing in people when they are still in court.

“I know it has happened with governors but the outcome has really not been the best of all cases. I think we need to review our election process, so we do have a winner who will be sworn in and whom everybody would rally around.

“It is a pity that it is taking longer for the court to come to its decision. My problem is that the whole system of our election must be properly reviewed so that it would be easier for winners to emerge according to the wishes of the people.

“It is not right to have a system that is constantly contested. We should find out why is every election being contested,” Cardinal Onaiyekan said.