Presidency Replies Onaiyekan, Says Cardinal Spoke for Catholics

The Presidency has dismissed recent comments by Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, over President Bola Tinubu’s stance ahead of the 2027 general election, insisting the cardinal’s views reflect those of the Catholic Church rather than the entire Christian community.

Onaiyekan had alleged during an interview that President Tinubu appeared determined to secure re-election “by all means” and had rejected concerns raised by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) during a July 28 meeting at the Presidential Villa.

The bishops reportedly expressed worries over the economy, insecurity and what they described as the growing threat of one-party dominance.

Responding, the President’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, argued that the cardinal’s remarks were political and should not be interpreted as the collective position of Christians in Nigeria.

“Cardinal Onaiyekan wasn’t speaking for Christians; he was speaking for Catholics, the very institutions rooting for Peter Obi. In fact, it is likely the same institution where Peter Obi in 2022 said take back your country.

“Therefore, the cardinal is more political than spiritual. And not all Catholic members are supporting Peter Obi,” Bwala said.

He defended President Tinubu’s decision to reject the bishops’ assessment of the country’s economic situation, maintaining that the president’s position is based on available economic data and measurable indicators.

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“The president was well within his right to disagree with their assertion regarding Nigeria’s economy based purely on facts, statistics and numbers put into context,” he added.

Bwala also accused some church leaders of applying double standards, claiming that while they publicly highlight economic hardship, they often discourage their members from making similar declarations.

“Ironically, the same priest would rebuke their members if the members said we are suffering or we are poor. They would tell them to rather say, we are doing great or we are rich, even when they are suffering or poor,” he said.

The presidential aide further argued that there is an umbrella Christian body that represents all denominations and should remain the appropriate platform for articulating the collective position of Christians on national issues.

“There is a body comprising all Christians, including the Catholics and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, and that body’s position is neutral and should remain so; otherwise, it becomes political,” he said.