Catholic Laity Defends Onaiyekan, Says Remarks Were Patriotic, Not Malicious

The Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria (CLCN) has defended Cardinal John Onaiyekan over his recent comments on President Bola Tinubu’s engagement with Catholic bishops, insisting that the former Archbishop of Abuja spoke out of genuine concern for the country and not out of malice or political bias. 

The council’s reaction followed criticism from the Presidency after Onaiyekan suggested that the Tinubu administration appeared determined to secure victory in the 2027 general election “by all means.”

Presidential Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, had accused the respected cleric of speaking from a political perspective, a claim that also drew criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who urged the government to address the issues raised instead of attacking the messenger.

In a statement jointly signed by its National President, Ambrose Obioha, and Secretary-General, Francis Olayinka Ojo, the CLCN said Onaiyekan’s comments were intended to awaken the nation’s conscience rather than embarrass the Federal Government.

“We know Cardinal Onaiyekan to be a man of peace, dialogue and integrity. His intervention was not to embarrass the government, but to call the nation to conscience,” the council stated.

It added that disagreements over facts should not be interpreted as arrogance, stressing that the cardinal’s reflections were consistent with the Catholic Church’s pastoral responsibility to speak truth to power.

According to the council, the Church has a moral obligation rooted in the Gospel and Catholic social teaching to defend the vulnerable, promote justice and hold leaders accountable in the interest of the common good.

The CLCN also argued that while it respected the confidentiality of private meetings, discussions involving the country’s economy, security and justice could not remain permanently behind closed doors because Nigerians deserved to know the direction of national leadership.

The council maintained that Onaiyekan did not disclose confidential information but merely highlighted the moral concerns raised by the Church and the government’s response, describing the disclosure as being in the public interest. 

Calling for calm, the Catholic body urged both the Presidency and the Church to sustain constructive engagement for the benefit of the nation.

“The government and the Church must continue to work together for the common good. Nigeria needs moral voices now more than ever,” the statement added.

The council further expressed solidarity with Onaiyekan and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), while urging Nigerians to continue praying for the country’s leaders and to support policies that promote security, justice and economic relief.