The Northern Christian Association (NCA), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani have defended Cardinal John Onaiyekan and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) following criticism from the Presidency over comments made after the bishops’ meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
The controversy began after Cardinal Onaiyekan, speaking in a television interview following the bishops’ engagement with the President at the Presidential Villa, expressed concerns about Nigeria’s economic hardship, insecurity and what he described as the administration’s increasing intolerance of dissenting voices. The cleric also suggested that President Tinubu was not receiving an accurate picture of the realities confronting Nigerians and warned that the use of state resources ahead of the 2027 elections could undermine confidence in the electoral process.
Those remarks drew a swift response from the President’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, who argued that Onaiyekan spoke only for the Catholic Church rather than the entire Christian community. He also described the Cardinal as being “more political than spiritual.”
Responding in a statement, the Northern Christian Association dismissed Bwala’s remarks and accused him of attempting to create unnecessary divisions among Christians. The association’s Chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab, stressed that the Catholic Church remains an integral part of Nigeria’s Christian community and insisted that the bishops’ intervention reflected concerns affecting all Nigerians rather than Catholics alone.
“Our members include Catholics, Baptists, ECWA, Methodists, Anglicans, Pentecostals and many other denominations. We will not allow politics to divide the Christian community,” Hayab said.
He maintained that the bishops met President Tinubu to discuss issues affecting the nation as a whole and described their message as sincere counsel intended to assist the government.
Hayab further criticised attempts by public officials to dismiss concerns raised by respected religious leaders, warning that propaganda should never replace honest engagement with the country’s challenges. According to him, every Nigerian would ultimately bear the consequences if pressing national issues remain unresolved.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also condemned the Presidency’s reaction, arguing that government officials chose to attack the messenger instead of addressing the issues raised.
In a statement issued through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said Catholic bishops have historically maintained their independence and should not be treated as political actors. He argued that the Church has consistently spoken for ordinary Nigerians regardless of which administration occupies Aso Rock.
According to Atiku, Cardinal Onaiyekan merely reflected the realities confronting millions of Nigerians, including economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and the rising cost of living. The former presidential candidate further accused government media aides of attempting to distort the bishops’ message by selectively interpreting their engagement with the President.
He maintained that a confident administration should welcome constructive criticism rather than attack those offering honest advice. Atiku also called on the Presidency to apologise to Cardinal Onaiyekan, the Catholic Church and Catholic faithful across the country, insisting that criticism of government policies should not be treated as hostility.
Former Senator Shehu Sani also came to the defence of the bishops, describing them as consistent voices of truth throughout Nigeria’s political history. In a post on his X account, Sani said Catholic bishops had always challenged governments, from the era of military rule to successive democratic administrations, without becoming partisan.
He remarked that the bishops traditionally present every Nigerian president they visit with bitter kola rather than olive oil, a symbolic gesture he said reflects their commitment to speaking honestly rather than offering empty praise. The former lawmaker maintained that the Catholic bishops’ long-standing tradition has been to tell leaders difficult truths regardless of the political climate.
The exchange has further intensified public debate over the relationship between religious leaders and government, with supporters of the bishops insisting that constructive criticism remains essential to strengthening democratic governance and improving national leadership.
