The Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has urged the administration of President Bola Tinubu to focus on improving governance, declaring that the Catholic bishops have already made their position clear.
Speaking during an interview on Eagle 102.5 FM in Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, Cardinal Onaiyekan dismissed the need to respond to criticisms from the Presidency, insisting that the bishops had fulfilled their responsibility by speaking out.
His comments come after a recent exchange between the Presidency and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). The disagreement followed a meeting between the bishops and President Tinubu at the State House in Abuja, where the religious leaders presented their concerns about Nigeria’s economic challenges and security situation.
According to the cardinal, the CBCN has no intention of engaging in a public back-and-forth with government spokespersons over the issues raised during the meeting.
Onaiyekan also rejected claims that the bishops were advocating solely for Catholic interests. He explained that their message was directed at the welfare of all Nigerians, describing it as part of their moral and spiritual responsibility.
“We are done talking. You can govern better. We didn’t go there just as Catholic bishops pushing the Catholic agenda. No. We went there as people who are with the spiritual mandate to speak to anybody in the name of God.
“That some of the supporters of government and the state and spokesperson may have their own idea about what they think they should be saying on behalf of their principal, is their business, not mine.
“As for response to the things we are hearing, I don’t even have to say anything because the social media is full of response from Nigerian people and that for me is more than enough,” he said.
The cardinal’s remarks add to the ongoing national conversation over the government’s handling of the country’s economic and security challenges, while reinforcing the bishops’ position that they have already delivered their message and will not be drawn into further public exchanges.
