The Emeritus Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, said on Thursday May 4, 2023 that the individuals who allegedly rigged Nigeria’s presidential and governorship elections are aware of their actions, just as God almighty.
Cardinal Onaiyekan who spoke during a programme on Channels Television, the courts and tribunals presiding over election petitions may be unaware of the culprits.
He said, “I am entitled to take the position that I am still waiting for the court to determine who won the election.
“I am one of those who have been saying that it does not make much sense to swear in people when they are still in court.
“We have to review the election process to ensure we have a winner who will be sworn in and everybody would rally around.
“I can’t understand; I am not a legal man or judge; it is a pity that it is taking too long for the Court to make up their mind on this matter.
“You know when you are doing the right thing and when you are doing the bad thing. Those who rigged the election know they rigged the election. Those who didn’t allow the people’s will to prevail, they know it.
“Those who have heated up the polity, they know it in their heart of heart. The wonderful thing is that God himself know them, we may not know, even the court may not know but God knows them and they know themselves.
“So, the more we mention God, the more we should be on guard not to be found using the name of God in vain. There are countries who don’t want to mention God but they are running their affairs well. But if we decide to keep mentioning God, we must run our affairs according to God’s will, otherwise we end up giving God a bad name. God forbid.
“I am now talking as a Cardinal; I want to ask my fellow countrymen; we should not apologise for the fact that we keep God constantly in our prayers and in our national life. We can’t throw God away. That means we must run our affairs and live our lives according to God’s will and we cannot pretend we don’t know what God wants from all of us.”
