Ndigbo should choose president without govs’ interference – Onaiyekan

Cardinal John Onaiyekan, the retired Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, has urged the people of the South-East to be free to choose their preferred presidential candidate without interference from state governors. Onaiyekan made these remarks during an interview with Afia Tv in Enugu, in response to questions about Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo's recent comments encouraging Igbo voters to avoid what Soludo termed as "wasting" their votes.

Onaiyekan, who is also a prominent cleric and political commentator, emphasized that while governors are elected representatives, their role does not include dictating how citizens should vote. He argued that the governors themselves will exercise their franchise by casting their own ballots, and that other voters should likewise be allowed to make their choices without pressure.

Onaiyekan further advocated for reforms to Nigeria's electoral system, including a requirement that a presidential candidate secure at least 50% of the votes cast before being declared the winner. He also called for a more independent process for appointing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) leadership, and for election petitions to be resolved before elected candidates are sworn in.