John Onaiyekan, the Archbishop Emeritus of the Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, reported that President Bola Tinubu pushed back against the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria during their July 28, 2026 meeting. The bishops had presented concerns regarding the nation’s fragile economy, widespread insecurity, and the state of democracy.
Onaiyekan stated on Arise News that the President dismissed these concerns and maintained that his administration is achieving success. According to the cleric, Tinubu explicitly stated his disagreement with their assessment. The bishops explained that they felt obligated to relay the suffering of the populace regardless of the President’s reaction.
The religious leaders clarified that their memorandum resulted from extensive consultations and reflects their duty to represent the people rather than engage in partisan politics. While Onaiyekan noted that the President responded to their points, he voiced concern that government officials often fail to provide the leader with candid feedback.
Addressing political issues, Onaiyekan reiterated the bishops’ warning about the potential shift toward a one-party state. He argued that democracy requires fair competition and expressed skepticism regarding the Independent National Electoral Commission, suggesting that presidential control over its appointments undermines public trust. He urged the government to prioritize tangible solutions to national crises over self-congratulatory rhetoric.
