Methodist Bishop Adegbite to Cardinal Onaiyekan: Support Your Candidate, Don’t Run Down Others

The Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, has advised Catholic Cardinal John Onaiyekan to support his preferred political candidate without disparaging other candidates ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections.

Adegbite made the remarks while reflecting on the political positions taken by Onaiyekan following the 2023 presidential election and his more recent comments concerning President Bola Tinubu.

The Methodist bishop recalled that after Tinubu was declared winner of the 2023 presidential election, Onaiyekan said he would not recognise him as president until the Supreme Court delivered its judgment.

According to Adegbite, while it was within Onaiyekan’s rights to await the court’s final verdict, Nigerians had already voted and the country had a recognised president.

“We have no problem with you having your own candidate. You can have your preferred candidate, but don’t run down other people’s candidates.”

Adegbite urged political and religious leaders who support particular candidates to concentrate on presenting the achievements, programmes and qualities of their preferred candidates rather than attacking their opponents.

He said Nigerians should be allowed to assess competing candidates based on their records and decide who deserves their votes.

“Sell your own candidate. Let people see what your candidate has done that justifies him becoming the president of Nigeria.”

The Methodist bishop further argued that President Tinubu’s performance would ultimately determine how Nigerians judge his administration.

He said supporters of the President should similarly be allowed to present their arguments to the electorate, stressing that Nigerians are increasingly capable of making their own political decisions.

Adegbite Questions Comments After Tinubu’s Visit

Adegbite also criticised comments attributed to Onaiyekan following a recent visit to President Tinubu, arguing that discussions held during such meetings should ordinarily remain confidential.

He described the visit itself as positive but questioned the decision to subsequently make public comments about the engagement.

“Their visit is very good, but for anybody to now take the visit of Mr President outside the villa and be making comments on it after retirement at 82, it is unacceptable.”

He added that engagements between leaders and the President should, where appropriate, be treated with discretion.

“If a body has visited Mr. President, that should be in confidence.”

The remarks come as Nigeria’s political atmosphere gradually intensifies ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political parties, religious leaders, civil society groups and other stakeholders increasingly expressing divergent views about the country’s political direction.

Adegbite’s central message was that political competition should focus on records, ideas and the capacity of candidates to serve Nigerians, rather than personal attacks or attempts to discredit opposing candidates.