The Reality Is That More People Vote Against Mr President Than Those Who Voted For Him – Onaiyekan Asks Tinubu To Serve All Nigerians Well

informantonline.com.ng

November 18, 2024

The Emeritus Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has stated that despite more Nigerians voting against President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 election, the president has a responsibility to serve all citizens.

Speaking on the Sunday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme on Channels Television, Cardinal Onaiyekan emphasized that Tinubu, who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), should transition from campaign mode to governance mode.

He stressed that Tinubu must ensure fairness by serving every region of the country equally.

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The esteemed cleric cautioned the president against running a divisive administration, where political allies are favored with appointments and areas that heavily supported him in the election are prioritized for projects.

He said, “There are Nigerians who did not vote for APC. Granted that APC got the highest number of votes and that is why they have the right to rule us. But they also forget that there are millions of Nigerians who did not (vote for the APC).

“Whatever the rules say, the reality is that more people vote against Mr President than those who voted for him.

“Even if you are a minority government, which is what I call what we have now, you still have a duty to serve the people and to do all you can to give everybody what is their right, and to rule well.”

Cardinal Onaiyekan urged the President to strive to move the nation forward, reminding him that he will ultimately answer to God for his actions and stewardship.

“Mr President, it’s about time you switched from campaign mode to governance mode. Elections are over. Campaigns are over. You now have to govern and govern the whole of Nigeria and every Nigerian.

“And therefore, the whole system whereby high political offices are given as a reward for those who were political activists, I don’t believe that that is the best way to move the nation forward.

“I would say, now that you (Tinubu) have been declared the President of Nigeria, sit down comfortably on that chair. As a religious leader, I would say God has allowed you on that chair. If God puts you there, you must then know that he is watching you and that He will be asking you what you did on that chair,” he said.