Cardinal Onaiyekan: Catholic bishops not rented cheerleaders – Atiku slams Tinubu
Atiku Abubakar Condemns Presidential Critique of Catholic Church
The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has criticized the Nigerian Presidency for its recent criticism of the Catholic Church and Cardinal John Onaiyekan. He described the administration of President Bola Tinubu as increasingly intolerant of dissenting voices.
In a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Abubakar expressed concern over what he deemed a troubling trend in which the government opts for intimidation and ridicule rather than engaging with substantive issues raised by religious leaders.
“The Catholic Church has long served as a moral voice in our nation,” the statement read. “Its bishops and priests have consistently advocated for the poor and marginalized, regardless of the political climate. Their role is not to flatter those in power but to hold them accountable.”
Abubakar praised the courage shown by Catholic bishops, who, he noted, addressed the President directly about the nation’s challenges. He encouraged other religious leaders, regardless of their denomination, to follow suit and advocate for truth in the face of power.
He further criticized the language used by the Tinubu administration in its commentary on Cardinal Onaiyekan, describing it as unbecoming for a government and indicative of arrogance. “This attitude reflects a government that has lost respect for independent voices,” he stated.
Abubakar accused the administration of attempting to manipulate public perception by selectively editing the bishops’ engagement with the President to create a narrative favorable to the government, thus undermining the bishops’ integrity and credibility.
In response to the Presidency’s critique, he emphasized Cardinal Onaiyekan’s decision to speak publicly was a necessary attempt to clarify issues that had been misrepresented. He condemned the administration’s reaction as “vile and disrespectful,” suggesting that it revealed a lack of substantive arguments.
“It is disappointing that the Presidency chose to attack a respected servant of God simply because he refused to align with those who support failure,” Abubakar concluded.
