Lere Olayinka, a spokesperson for FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, recently asserted that Rotimi Amaechi has become a sudden advocate for the Catholic Church strictly for political gain. Olayinka utilized social media to claim that Amaechi and similar figures are leveraging current affairs to court voters in anticipation of the 2027 general elections.
Olayinka further noted the history between the two men, highlighting that while Wike supported Amaechi in 2007 and 2011, Wike subsequently outperformed him in electoral contests throughout 2015, 2019, and 2023. These comments follow an interview on Channels Television where Amaechi accused President Bola Tinubu of showing disrespect toward the Catholic Church. This accusation stems from the Presidency’s rebuttal to remarks made by Archbishop Emeritus John Cardinal Onaiyekan.
The tension originated when the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria, headed by Onaiyekan, visited the Presidential Villa to discuss national concerns with President Tinubu. Following the meeting, Onaiyekan mentioned that the President dismissed their appraisal of Nigeria’s status, a remark that triggered a sharp rebuke from the Presidency.
