The Nigerian Presidency has officially refuted recent critiques leveled against President Bola Tinubu by Cardinal John Onaiyekan. Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, clarified that the cardinal’s remarks represent individual political perspectives rather than a collective stance for Nigerian Christians.
This response follows the cardinal’s assertion that the current government prioritizes political victory over addressing national crises. These comments were made after the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria held a meeting with the President.
Bwala contended that Onaiyekan acts as a voice for the Catholic Church, which he suggests heavily favored Peter Obi of the Labour Party during the 2023 presidential race. According to Bwala, the cardinal’s rhetoric is driven by political motivations rather than religious leadership. He further noted that the Catholic electorate is not monolithic in its political support for any single candidate.
Regarding the economic concerns raised by the bishops, Bwala maintained that President Tinubu holds the prerogative to dispute their findings. He asserted that the administration’s economic defense is rooted in verifiable data and statistics. Finally, Bwala emphasized that the broader Christian community maintains a neutral stance, and he urged the church leadership to avoid aligning religious institutions with partisan political agendas.
