The Presidency has responded to comments by Cardinal John Onaiyekan criticising the administration of President Bola Tinubu, saying the cleric was speaking a personal and political opinion and not for all Christians in Nigeria.
Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, stated this in a post on his X account on Saturday.Bwala was reacting to Onaiyekan’s remarks following the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN’s recent visit to the President.
The cardinal had accused the government of prioritizing winning elections “by all means” over tackling the country’s challenges.In his response, Bwala said Onaiyekan was speaking for the Catholic Church, not the entire Christian community.
He claimed the Catholic institution largely backed Labour Party candidate Peter Obi in the 2023 election.“Cardinal Onaiyekan wasn’t speaking for Christians, he was speaking for Catholics, the very institution rooting for Peter Obi,” Bwala wrote.
“In fact, likely the institution where Peter Obi also said in 2022 ‘take back your country.’ Therefore, Cardinal is more political than spiritual.”Bwala also noted that not all Catholics voted for Obi, and said President Tinubu was right to disagree with the bishops’ assessment of the economy.
According to him, the administration’s position is supported by “facts, stats and numbers factored into context.”The presidential aide further accused the clergy of double standards, alleging that the same priests who criticize government would tell their members to say “we are doing great” even amid hardship.
“There is a body comprising all Christians including the Catholics and Catholic Bishops Conference and that body’s position is neutral and should be so, otherwise it is political,” he added.
