Political analyst Kabiru Ojo has come to the defense of Cardinal John Onaiyekan, arguing that the clergyman’s recent critique of Nigeria’s economy and security aligns with sentiments already expressed by President Bola Tinubu. In an interview with DAILY POST, Ojo rejected accusations that the former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja was playing politics or serving external interests.
Ojo pointed out that the President frequently claims his administration is achieving success in security and economic governance, despite widespread public dissatisfaction. While government officials cite statistics to support these claims, Ojo noted that ordinary citizens continue to struggle to survive. He highlighted that the President refuses to acknowledge systemic failures, opting instead to highlight policies like fuel subsidy removal.
During a past meeting with Islamic scholars, President Tinubu reportedly insisted that his government was performing well and denied the existence of a cabal. Ojo believes this disconnect means that if current trends persist, the hardship facing Nigerians will only escalate. Cardinal Onaiyekan previously shared that he personally warned the President that the nation is bleeding, only for the President to dismiss the assessment and maintain that the economy is functioning correctly.
The Presidency, represented by Daniel Bwala, has dismissed Onaiyekan’s remarks as partisan. Bwala stated that the President’s optimistic outlook is rooted in data and emphasized that the Cardinal does not speak for the entire Christian population, insisting the government remains committed to its stated objectives.
