Catholic Laity defends Onaiyekan, urges Presidency to focus on national concerns

The Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria (CLCN) has defended the comments made by Cardinal John Onaiyekan, former Archbishop of the Abuja Archdiocese, regarding President Bola Tinubu’s recent meeting with Catholic bishops, insisting that the cleric spoke out of genuine concern for the country’s future rather than political motives.

The council said Cardinal Onaiyekan’s remarks were intended to awaken the nation’s conscience and encourage constructive dialogue on issues affecting Nigerians, rejecting suggestions that his comments were aimed at embarrassing the Federal Government.

Onaiyekan had, on Saturday, reflected on discussions held during a meeting between President Tinubu and members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), stating that the current administration appeared determined to secure victory in the 2027 general election “by all means.”

His remarks drew criticism from the Presidency, with the President’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, accusing the cardinal of making political statements. The Presidency argued that Onaiyekan’s comments did not accurately reflect the discussions held during the meeting.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar later weighed into the controversy, faulting the Presidency’s reaction and urging the government to address the concerns raised by the Catholic bishops instead of attacking the former archbishop.

In a statement dated August 2 and jointly signed by the National President of the CLCN, Ambrose Obioha, and the Secretary-General, Francis Olayinka Ojo, the council expressed solidarity with Cardinal Onaiyekan and the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria.

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

The council added that disagreement over facts should not be interpreted as disrespect or arrogance, stressing that the cardinal’s observations were a pastoral reflection rooted in the Church’s responsibility to address issues affecting society.

“A disagreement over facts, as the Presidency rightly noted, should not be read as arrogance. Neither should a pastoral reflection be read as a breach of trust,” the council stated.

According to the CLCN, the Catholic Church has a longstanding moral obligation, based on the teachings of the Gospel and Catholic social doctrine, to speak truth to those in authority, defend the vulnerable and promote accountability in governance.

The group maintained that such interventions should not be viewed as an abuse of privilege but as part of the Church’s pastoral mission to contribute positively to national development.

While acknowledging the importance of confidentiality during private meetings between government officials and religious leaders, the council argued that discussions touching on matters of national importance should not remain permanently hidden from the public.

“When national issues of economy, security and justice are discussed, the people have a right to know the direction of leadership,” the council said.

It further noted that Cardinal Onaiyekan did not disclose confidential information but merely highlighted the Church’s concerns and the government’s response in the broader public interest.

The Catholic Laity Council also called on both the Presidency and the Catholic Church to maintain open channels of communication in pursuit of the common good.

It urged Nigerians to continue praying for the nation’s leaders while supporting policies that promote security, justice, economic stability and the welfare of citizens.

“CLCN believes that the government and Church must continue to work together for the common good. We urge both the Presidency and the Church to sustain the channels of dialogue. Nigeria needs moral voices now more than ever,” the statement added.