Amaechi Defends Cardinal Onaiyekan, Rejects Wike’s Claim of Political Bias

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has dismissed claims by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike that Cardinal John Onaiyekan has political preferences, insisting the Catholic cleric remains non-partisan.

Amaechi, who is the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday.

According to the former Rivers State governor, he interrupted the traditional mourning period for his late mother to appear on the programme because he believed it was necessary to defend his Christian faith in light of the controversy surrounding the Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja.

Responding directly to Wike’s comments, Amaechi said Cardinal Onaiyekan neither supports politicians nor aligns with any political party.

“He supports nobody. I see Cardinal Onaiyekan regularly, I worship at his chapel. He has no political leaning, the Catholic Church has no political leaning. Cardinal Onaiyekan himself supports nobody,” he stated.

Amaechi also said the cardinal’s concerns have consistently centred on the country’s worsening poverty and governance challenges.

“I’ve had several conversations with him, the only thing that pains him is the level of indiscretion and poverty in the country,” he said.

The exchange follows comments made by Wike after Cardinal Onaiyekan spoke publicly about a recent meeting between President Bola Tinubu and members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria.

During his media briefing on Tuesday, Wike argued that the cardinal’s repeated comments on government policies raised questions about his neutrality.

“If a religious leader is perceived or seen to be taking a side, which is very clear, it is very difficult for people to begin to see those comments as being helpful,” Wike said.

He also alleged: “I am aware of the position of Cardinal Onaiyekan; all of us know, it’s not hidden, whom he supports; everybody knows that.”

Amaechi, however, maintained that the cardinal’s public interventions are driven by concern for the nation’s welfare rather than political interests.

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