Bishop Wale Oke, National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), has issued a strong defense of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). He stated that any criticism directed at the Catholic leadership is effectively an attack on the entire Christian faith. Supporting the recent assessment by Cardinal John Onaiyekan that Nigeria is currently in a state of distress, Bishop Oke highlighted widespread insecurity across various states, including Benue, Kaduna, and Borno.
The PFN leader dismissed the government’s pushback against the bishops, maintaining that moral truth must be spoken regardless of political sensitivity. He emphasized that the Church remains united across all denominations, sharing one Lord and one faith. Furthermore, Oke strongly opposed a proposed legislative measure to penalize bus preachers, asserting that he would prioritize religious obligations over state laws. He also demanded that the federal government re-evaluate Nigeria’s membership in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and address alleged biases in the 1999 Constitution.
Diverse perspectives emerged regarding this conflict. Pastor Seyi Osuntayo of The Apostolic Church advised that clergy should prioritize prayer over political activism. Conversely, author Ben Charles-Davies criticized the government for attempting to divert attention from national economic hardships, labeling the administration’s frustration with the bishops as hypocritical. Meanwhile, commentator Ugoji Maximillian argued that the Catholic hierarchy utilizes its structural influence for political maneuvering, while former Commissioner Toyin Ayinde suggested that public frustration often stems from unrealistic expectations regarding the speed of economic recovery.