Catholic laity defends Onaiyekan, says cardinal spoke out of concern for Nigeria

The Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria (CLCN) has defended the comments made by Cardinal John Onaiyekan on President Bola Tinubu’s meeting with Catholic bishops, insisting the former Archbishop of Abuja spoke out of genuine concern for the country’s future rather than to embarrass the Federal Government.

The council said the cardinal’s remarks reflected the Catholic Church’s responsibility to offer moral guidance on issues affecting the nation and should not be interpreted as a breach of confidence.

Onaiyekan had, on Saturday, while reflecting on discussions at the meeting between President Tinubu and members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), said the administration appeared determined to secure victory in the 2027 general election “by all means.”

His comments drew criticism from the Presidency, with the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Tope Ajayi, accusing the cardinal of approaching the issue from a political perspective.

However, in a statement dated August 2 and jointly signed by its National President, Ambrose Obioha, and Secretary-General, Francis Olayinka Ojo, the Catholic Laity Council said Onaiyekan’s intervention was motivated by his commitment to the nation’s wellbeing.

“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 council said.

“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 maintained that the Catholic Church has a moral obligation, grounded in the Gospel and Catholic social teaching, to speak truth to those in authority, defend vulnerable citizens and promote accountability in governance.