Support Grows for Cardinal Onaiyekan as NCA, Atiku and Shehu Sani Challenge Presidency’s Criticism

The Northern Christian Association (NCA), African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, and former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani have thrown their weight behind the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) following criticism from the Presidency over comments by former Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan.

After the Catholic bishops met President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa last Wednesday, Cardinal Onaiyekan told Arise Television that Nigerians were enduring severe economic hardship caused by government policies. He also accused the administration of becoming increasingly intolerant of dissenting opinions and “uncomfortable truths.”

The cardinal further alleged that President Tinubu was not receiving accurate briefings on the country’s situation and warned that the administration’s determination to win the 2027 elections “by all means” could threaten the credibility of the electoral process because of its access to state resources.

Presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala rejected the claims, describing them as politically motivated. He maintained that Onaiyekan represented only Catholics and not the wider Christian community, adding that the cleric appeared “more political than spiritual.”

Christian Association Rejects Division

The Northern Christian Association strongly disagreed with Bwala, accusing him of trying to divide Christians.

Its chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab, stressed that the Catholic bishops addressed issues affecting every Nigerian and not solely members of the Catholic Church.

“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 Cardinal Onaiyekan remained a respected Christian leader whose advice to the President was offered in the national interest.

“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 described Bwala’s remarks as “shameful and a disservice” to President Tinubu and argued that government officials should respond to genuine concerns rather than dismiss them through propaganda.

Atiku Backs Bishops

Atiku Abubakar also criticised the Presidency’s reaction, accusing it of attacking the messenger instead of addressing the issues raised.

According to the former vice president, Catholic bishops cannot be turned into political instruments.

“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, regardless of whose interests are bruised. They cannot be used.”

Atiku alleged that government media officials attempted to reshape the narrative of the bishops’ meeting with the President, insisting that Cardinal Onaiyekan’s subsequent interview simply placed the facts on record.

“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, while rewarding those who tell it only what it wants to hear.”

He said the cardinal’s comments reflected the realities of poverty, insecurity, unemployment and the high cost of living experienced by Nigerians and urged the Presidency to apologise to the Catholic Church, Cardinal Onaiyekan and Catholic faithful nationwide.

Shehu Sani Defends Catholic Tradition

Former Senator Shehu Sani likewise defended the bishops, saying they have consistently spoken truth to power under both military and civilian governments.

“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.”

Sani rejected suggestions that the bishops were partisan, adding:

“They have never been partisan. Every President they visited, they bring him a gift of Bitter Kola instead of Olive Oil.”

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