Apologize to Onaiyekan, Catholic bishops, Presidency’s not secret cult – Atiku tells Tinubu
Atiku Abubakar Criticizes Presidency’s Reaction to Catholic Bishops’ Concerns
Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has asserted that the Nigerian Presidency should not operate as a closed entity where only select voices are permitted to speak.
In a statement released by his spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, Abubakar emphasized that in a democratic society, individuals do not require permission from the Presidency to voice concerns about national issues.
His comments followed a recent meeting between President Bola Tinubu and the Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, along with members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria. During this encounter, Onaiyekan articulated the bishops’ concerns regarding economic and security challenges facing the nation, to which President Tinubu reportedly disagreed, insisting that his administration is on the right path.
Shaibu stated, “The Presidency is not a secret cult where only approved voices are permitted to speak. In a constitutional democracy, no one needs the permission of Aso Rock to tell the truth about the state of the nation.”
He further criticized the government for its treatment of religious leaders, asserting that Catholic bishops have a moral responsibility to communicate openly about societal issues.
“The cleric merely gave voice to what millions of Nigerians discuss daily in their homes, markets, churches and workplaces. Silencing or attacking him will not erase the harsh realities of hunger, insecurity, rising poverty, unemployment, and the unprecedented cost-of-living crisis confronting ordinary citizens,” Shaibu stated.
He expressed that a government confident in its achievements would embrace criticism as a chance for reflection and improvement, while an insecure government would react defensively against dissenting voices.
Shaibu called on the Presidency to address the issues raised by Onaiyekan rather than targeting the clerics themselves. “No amount of attacks on respected clerics will change the lived reality of Nigerians or absolve this administration of responsibility for the hardships its policies have inflicted on the people,” he remarked.
He concluded with a demand for an immediate apology from the Presidency to the Catholic Church, Cardinal Onaiyekan, and the broader Catholic community, labeling the government’s actions as an affront to Nigeria’s moral institutions and an insult to millions of believers.
