The former archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has expressed his disagreement with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Edo State, Hon Charles Idahosa, who claims that the 2023 elections will be the worst in Nigeria’s history.
Onaiyekan allegedly stated a few days ago that while there had been other instances of faulty elections, the problems in the most recent ones were unprecedented.
However, in response to Onaiyekan’s assertion yesterday, Idahosa stated that the 2023 elections were still among the finest in the nation due to the kind of surprises they produced and the fresh coloration they gave to the National Assembly, where at least eight political parties were given seats in each of the two chambers.
Prior to the Presidential Election Tribunal’s decision on the election, he claimed, the opposition parties, particularly the Labour Party, supported Cardinal’s claim on purpose since they knew they would probably lose their election petitions.
“It is quite upsetting for a man to say like way who has such a high position in Christendom and whose views many people would take very seriously. Christians are embarrassed by it.
“The court is in session, and President Tinubu has taken the oath of office. Consider the moment when Onaiyekan spoke, as we awaited the court’s decision. At this crucial time, they must have searched for this kind of comment. I’ve been involved in politics for more than 40 years, so those of us who took part are the ones who can judge whether or not this election was fair.
Read Also: Presidential Tribunal: Finally, Tinubu Admits Dual Citizenship Allegation As Lawyer Makes Crucial Demand
“What he stated is astonishing because he has no knowledge of the elections, which are among the best this nation has ever seen. I am a PDP leader, not an APC member, and you are aware of the struggles we had. Someone might come out after a vote in which Tinubu lost Lagos and ask, “If somebody is going to rig elections, won’t he rig his place?” A vote in which Buhari lost Katsina and ten governors in office lost their seats in the senate, dividing their states into three, making it impossible for them to win, would prompt someone to declare it the worst vote ever.
“The instant the Cardinal entered the fray, he became just like the rest of us; he had chosen a side and shouldn’t have said anything at all. In this election, the National Assembly will have representation from eight different political parties, according to Idahosa.
