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Cardinal Onaiyekan Says Tinubu Rejected Bishops' Assessment of Nigeria's Situation
Cardinal Onaiyekan Says Tinubu Rejected Bishops' Assessment of Nigeria's Situation
NEWS
The Nigerian Record
8/2/20261 min read
Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu appeared unreceptive to the concerns raised by members of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) during a private meeting at the Presidential Villa.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE Television's Prime Time, the senior cleric said the bishops deliberately used the meeting to present what they described as the realities confronting millions of Nigerians, particularly the country's economic hardship and social challenges.
According to Onaiyekan, the President's facial expression suggested that he was dissatisfied with the message delivered. He noted that the bishops were not surprised by the reaction because they believed the President was more accustomed to hearing favourable reports about his administration.
The Cardinal expressed concern that some of those around the President may be portraying the nation's condition in a more positive light than many Nigerians experience. He said the bishops considered it their moral responsibility to present an honest account of the situation rather than reinforce optimistic narratives.
Onaiyekan explained that both parties remained firm in their respective positions after the meeting. While the bishops maintained that the country's economic conditions continue to place severe pressure on ordinary Nigerians, President Tinubu defended his administration's policies and reportedly insisted that the nation was not in crisis and that the economy was performing well.
Responding to questions about the atmosphere of the meeting, the cleric acknowledged that the discussion was candid, arguing that the seriousness of the country's challenges required openness rather than diplomatic pleasantries. He stressed that the bishops believed it was necessary to communicate their concerns directly to the President.
Despite the disagreement, Onaiyekan said the bishops considered the meeting worthwhile because they had fulfilled their obligation to speak honestly. He also expressed hope that, over time, the President would receive additional information that would reinforce the concerns raised during the discussion.
The meeting ended without either side changing its position, with both the bishops and the President standing by their respective views on Nigeria's current economic and social realities.