The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has urged religious and traditional leaders to place the interests of the public and the stability of the nation ahead of individual benefits or political proximity. National President Isah Abubakar issued this statement in Kaduna, encouraging clerics of both Muslim and Christian faiths to mirror the bravery of Cardinal Onaiyekan.
Abubakar stated that the group fully supports the Cardinal, noting that he effectively voiced the frustrations of citizens facing economic decline, inflation, and instability. The NYCN leadership praised the Cardinal for choosing to address the true state of the country with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his recent meeting with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria.
The statement criticized presidential aides for attempting to discredit the Cardinal instead of addressing the validity of his claims. According to Abubakar, labeling the clergyman’s remarks as an abuse of his position demonstrates a lack of awareness regarding the hardships experienced by ordinary Nigerians. The council concluded by thanking the Cardinal for his patriotism and for prioritizing the needs of the nation over personal gain.
