APC Chieftain warns presidency against attacking Catholic Bishops

By Musa Baba Adamu with agency report

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State, Jonathan Vatsa, has cautioned the Presidency against continued criticism of Catholic Church leaders, warning that such actions could weaken President Bola Tinubu’s support among Christian voters ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
In a statement issued in Minna on Wednesday, Vatsa singled out presidential spokespersons Daniel Bwala and Bayo Onanuga, accusing them of escalating tensions with the Christian community through their responses to recent comments by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and Cardinal John Onaiyekan on the country’s economic and security situation.
The former Niger State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism argued that the bishops were carrying out their moral responsibility by speaking on issues affecting Nigerians and should not be portrayed as political opponents of the government.
According to him, the Presidency should have focused on addressing the concerns raised by the clerics rather than engaging in public exchanges that could deepen perceptions of insensitivity toward Christians.
Vatsa maintained that widespread hardship, hunger and insecurity remain major challenges across the country, insisting that religious leaders have a duty to speak on behalf of citizens experiencing those conditions.
He also urged the presidential aides to show greater respect for the Christian faith, warning that persistent attacks on prominent church leaders could widen the trust gap between the government and many Christian faithful.
The APC stalwart further challenged government officials to visit communities affected by insecurity and economic hardship to better understand the realities confronting ordinary Nigerians.
He concluded that the Tinubu administration would strengthen public confidence by responding to constructive criticism with practical solutions to the country’s economic and security challenges rather than criticizing those who raise such concerns.