Atiku defends Catholic Bishops, accuses presidency of intolerance over Onaiyekan remarks

By Lateef Ibrahim

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Presidency over its response to comments by Cardinal John Onaiyekan, accusing the Tinubu administration of showing intolerance toward dissenting voices.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the Catholic Church has long served as a moral voice in Nigeria by speaking on issues affecting the poor, vulnerable and the wider society, regardless of who is in power.
He argued that the Catholic bishops acted responsibly by expressing their views on the state of the nation during their engagement with President Bola Tinubu, insisting that religious leaders have a duty to “speak truth to power” rather than praise those in authority.
According to Atiku, the Presidency focused on attacking Cardinal Onaiyekan instead of responding to the issues raised by the clerics, a move he described as disrespectful to both the Catholic Church and millions of its faithful.
The former vice president also alleged that the government’s media team attempted to reshape public perception by selectively presenting the bishops’ engagement with the President, adding that Onaiyekan’s subsequent clarification was aimed at setting the record straight.
Atiku maintained that criticism of government policies is a legitimate part of democratic governance, warning against attempts to intimidate or silence religious leaders and other independent voices.
He further urged religious leaders across different faiths to continue speaking on national issues whenever necessary, saying democratic accountability depends on citizens and institutions being free to express honest opinions.
The ADC presidential candidate called on the Presidency to apologise to Cardinal Onaiyekan, the Catholic Church and its members, insisting that the administration should address the concerns raised by the bishops rather than criticising those who voiced them.