Bishop Onah Calls Tinubu an ‘Emperor’, Raises Doubts Over 2027 Election Credibility

The Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Godfrey Onah, has described President Bola Tinubu as an “emperor”, expressing doubts about the possibility of a free and fair 2027 general election.

Onah accused political office holders and key government institutions, including the judiciary, National Assembly, governors and local government chairmen, of aligning themselves with the President rather than acting independently.

The cleric made the remarks in a video shared on X on Friday by former National Human Rights Commission chairman, Professor Chidi Odinkalu.

Questioning the independence of elected officials, Onah asked why political leaders who received their mandates from voters appeared to be operating as though their authority came from the President.

“But if you have been chosen by your people, why are they all now standing on the mandate of the president because the president has become an absolute monarch. An emperor who is not controlled by anybody or by any forces,” he said.

The bishop also criticised what he described as the failure of institutions constitutionally expected to check presidential powers.

“Even the institutions that should control him, judges and the National Assembly are now signing ‘on his mandate we shall stand’. The governors and local chairmen have become errand boys for the president,” he added.

Onah further warned that the political developments he was observing did not inspire confidence in the credibility of the 2027 general election.

“Everybody is saying we want free and fair election in 2027, it will not happen. The signs are everywhere,” he said.

His comments come amid growing political debate over the independence of public institutions and preparations for the 2027 general election.