Fresh reactions have continued to trail the face-off between the Presidency and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), as the Northern Christian Association (NCA), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and ex-Kaduna Central senator Shehu Sani have all defended Cardinal John Onaiyekan over his recent remarks about the Tinubu administration.
The controversy began after the Catholic bishops met with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa. During a subsequent television interview, Cardinal Onaiyekan expressed concern over Nigeria’s worsening economic hardship, alleged intolerance of opposing views, and warned that access to state resources could affect the credibility of the 2027 general election.
His comments drew criticism from the Presidency, with Presidential Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, arguing that the Cardinal spoke only for Catholics and not the wider Christian community, while also describing his remarks as politically motivated.
Northern Christian Association Rejects Bwala’s Position
Reacting to the controversy, the Northern Christian Association (NCA) rejected Bwala’s claims, insisting that Catholics are an integral part of the Christian community and that the bishops spoke in the interest of all Nigerians.
In a statement, the association’s chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab, warned against attempts to create divisions among Christians.
“We should tell Bwala to know that Catholics are Christians and Nigerians. Our members are Catholics, Baptists, ECWA, Methodists, Anglicans, Pentecostals and people of all denominations. We refuse to be divided by Bwala’s politics of division,” Hayab said.
The cleric stressed that the bishops’ meeting with President Tinubu was not about Catholic issues alone but about national concerns affecting every Nigerian.
“Our Cardinal is our respected leader, and the bishops that visited the President went to speak to him about humanity, Christians and all of us, not only Catholics,” he added.
Hayab also criticised attacks on the Cardinal, describing them as disrespectful and unnecessary.
“An honest counsel has been given to Mr President for his own good and for a better Nigeria,” he stated.
According to him, government officials should focus on addressing the country’s pressing challenges instead of dismissing genuine concerns raised by respected religious leaders.
Atiku Accuses Presidency of Attacking Honest Criticism
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, also came to the defence of Cardinal Onaiyekan.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the Presidency chose political attacks instead of reflecting on the issues raised by the Catholic bishops.
He argued that the Catholic Church has always maintained its independence and cannot be used for political propaganda.
“Perhaps the Presidency has become so accustomed to inviting ‘fake bishops’ that it now assumes every cleric can be recruited into political propaganda. But Catholic bishops are different. They are not political props, rented cheerleaders or praise singers. They are shepherds with a moral obligation to speak truth to power,” Atiku said.
The former vice president maintained that the Cardinal’s comments simply reflected the everyday realities faced by millions of Nigerians, including hardship, insecurity, unemployment and the rising cost of living.
He further called on the Presidency to apologise to Cardinal Onaiyekan, the Catholic Church, and Catholic faithful across the country over the remarks directed at the cleric.
“A government confident in its record welcomes criticism because it provides an opportunity for reflection and improvement. Only an insecure government wages war against honest voices,” Atiku stated.
Shehu Sani: Catholic Bishops Have Always Spoken Truth to Power
Former Kaduna Central senator Shehu Sani also defended the Catholic bishops, describing them as religious leaders with a long history of speaking truth to successive governments regardless of who occupies power.
Writing on his X account, Sani said the bishops have remained consistent from the era of military rule to the present democratic dispensation.
“From the era of military rule and throughout the period of civilian governments, the Catholic Bishops have a consistent history of telling truth to power,” he wrote.
He dismissed claims that the bishops were politically biased.
“They have never been partisan. Every President they visited, they bring him a gift of Bitter Kola instead of Olive Oil,” Sani added.
Debate Continues
The exchange has generated widespread debate across political and religious circles, with supporters of both sides defending their positions.
While the Presidency maintains that President Tinubu is entitled to disagree with the bishops’ assessment of the country’s situation, religious leaders and opposition figures insist that constructive criticism should not be viewed as political hostility but as part of strengthening democracy and national development.
