The Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria (CLCN) has defended John Onaiyekan, cardinal and former Archbishop of the Abuja Archdiocese, saying his comments on President Bola Tinubu’s meeting with Catholic bishops were made out of genuine concern for Nigeria and not to malign the federal government.
Gatekeepers News reports that the council’s response follows remarks made by Onaiyekan on Saturday, in which he reflected on discussions held during the meeting between President Tinubu and Catholic bishops, saying the administration appeared determined to secure victory in the 2027 general election “by all means.”
His comments drew criticism from Daniel Bwala, the president’s special adviser on policy communication, who accused the cardinal of speaking from a political perspective.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar also weighed in, faulting the presidency’s response and urging the government to address the issues raised by the bishops rather than attack Onaiyekan.
In a statement dated August 2 and jointly signed by Ambrose Obioha, national president of the CLCN, and Francis Olayinka Ojo, the council’s secretary-general, the group said the cardinal’s remarks were intended to awaken the nation’s conscience, not embarrass the government.
“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 read.
“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 said the Catholic Church has a moral duty, rooted in the Gospel and Catholic social teaching, to speak truth to those in authority, defend the vulnerable and hold public officials accountable.
According to the CLCN, such interventions should not be interpreted as an abuse of access or privilege but as part of the Church’s pastoral responsibility to society.
The group also maintained that while it respects the confidentiality of private meetings, discussions on matters affecting the welfare of Nigerians 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.
“Cardinal Onaiyekan did not reveal secrets. He shared the moral concerns of the Church and the response of government, which is in the public interest.”
The CLCN called on both the presidency and the Catholic Church to maintain constructive engagement in the interest of national development.
It also expressed solidarity with Onaiyekan and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), urging Nigerians to pray for the country’s leaders and support policies that promote security, justice and economic relief.
“CLCN believes that 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.
