Former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi has publicly defended Cardinal John Onaiyekan, the Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, against assertions that the cleric lacks neutrality. During a recent interview on Channels Television, Amaechi stated that the cardinal does not hold any political bias or support any specific candidate. Amaechi emphasized that he felt compelled to address the issue to defend his faith, despite currently observing a period of mourning for his late mother.
Amaechi explained that his frequent personal interactions with the cardinal have shown that the cleric’s public concerns are motivated by the country’s economic struggles rather than partisan agendas. According to the former Rivers State governor, the cardinal is primarily troubled by poverty and a lack of governance oversight in Nigeria.
This defense comes after Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, recently challenged the impartiality of Cardinal Onaiyekan. Wike argued that the cleric’s frequent critiques of the government indicate a political stance, claiming that his allegiances are well-known. Wike suggested that such perceived biases diminish the value of the cardinal’s public comments regarding the administration.
