November 18, (THEWILL) – The Emeritus Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to transition fully from campaign mode to governance, emphasising the need to prioritise service to all Nigerians.
Speaking during an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television on Sunday, the cleric stressed that elections and campaigns were over, and it was time for the President to focus on inclusive governance.
Describing the Tinubu administration as a “minority government,” the cleric highlighted that more Nigerians voted against the President than for him during the last general elections.
He therefore urged the President to acknowledge this reality and ensure his government serves all Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliations.
He said, “There are Nigerians who did not vote for APC. Granted, APC got the highest number of votes, and that is why they have the right to rule us. But we must not forget that millions of Nigerians did not vote for the APC.
“Whatever the rules say, the reality is that more people voted 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 must serve the people and give everyone what is their right.”
The Cardinal advised Tinubu to abandon politically motivated appointments and focus on merit and national interest.
He criticised the trend of rewarding political allies with high offices, stating that such practices hinder progress and alienate many Nigerians.
He stated, “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.
“The system of awarding high political offices as rewards for political activism is not the best way to move the nation forward. It’s time to focus on what truly benefits the country.”
Onaiyekan also reminded Tinubu of the divine accountability associated with leadership, urging him to approach governance with a sense of responsibility and fairness.
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