African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has urged the Presidency to apologise to Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, John Onaiyekan, and the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria over remarks made following the bishops’ visit to President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking through his spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the Presidency should not dictate who can express opinions in a democracy.
“The Presidency is not a secret cult where only approved voices are permitted to speak. In a constitutional democracy, no one needs the permission of Aso Rock to tell the truth about the state of the nation,” Shaibu said.
Referring to past controversies, he added: “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.”
Shaibu argued that Onaiyekan simply echoed the concerns many Nigerians have about the economy and security.
“The cleric merely gave voice to what millions of Nigerians discuss daily in their homes, markets, churches and workplaces. Silencing or attacking him will not erase the harsh realities of hunger, insecurity, rising poverty, unemployment and the unprecedented cost-of-living crisis confronting ordinary citizens,” he said.
He further stated: “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.”
According to Shaibu, religious leaders and citizens should be free to speak on national issues without fear of intimidation.
“Nigeria’s democracy cannot flourish if religious leaders, civil society and patriotic citizens are expected to become praise singers before they can exercise their constitutional right to express their opinions. The Church has every right and indeed a moral obligation to speak whenever the welfare, dignity and future of Nigerians are threatened,” he said.
He concluded by demanding an apology from the Tinubu administration.
“The Presidency should stop shooting the messenger and start addressing the message. No amount of attacks on respected clerics will change the lived reality of Nigerians or absolve this administration of responsibility for the hardships its policies have inflicted on the people.
“The Presidency owes the Catholic Church, Cardinal John Onaiyekan and the entire Catholic faithful an immediate and unreserved apology. The reckless assault on respected men of God was not merely an attack on individuals; it was an affront to one of Nigeria’s most credible moral institutions and an insult to millions of faithful Catholics. Until that apology is offered, the Tinubu administration will continue to stand accused of arrogance, intolerance and contempt for every independent voice that refuses to sing its praises.”
