The Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria has defended the Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, over his comments on President Bola Tinubu’s recent meeting with Catholic bishops, saying the Cardinal spoke out of concern for Nigeria and not to embarrass the Federal Government.

The Council, in a statement dated August 2 and co-signed by its National President, Ambrose Obioha, and Secretary-General, Francis Olayinka Ojo, said Onaiyekan’s remarks were intended to call the nation to conscience.

Catholic laity are ordinary baptised members of the Catholic Church and constitute the majority of Catholics across the world.

Onaiyekan had, while reflecting on the meeting between President Tinubu and Catholic bishops, said the administration appeared determined to secure victory in the 2027 elections “by all means.”

His comments drew criticism from the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, who accused the Cardinal of speaking from a political standpoint.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar later faulted the Presidency’s response, urging the government to address the concerns raised by the bishops rather than attack Onaiyekan.

Reacting to the controversy, the Catholic Laity Council said the Cardinal’s intervention should not be interpreted as arrogance, political hostility or a breach of trust.

“We know Cardinal Onaiyekan to be a man of peace, dialogue and integrity. His intervention was not to embarrass government, but to call the nation to conscience,” the statement read.

“A disagreement over facts, as the Presidency rightly noted, should not be read as arrogance. Neither should a pastoral reflection be read as a breach of trust.”

The Council said the Catholic Church has a moral obligation, rooted in the gospel and its social teaching, to speak truth to power, defend the vulnerable and hold leaders accountable.

According to the CLCN, such interventions should not be seen as an abuse of privilege but as part of the Church’s pastoral responsibility to society.

It added that while the Council respects the sanctity of private engagements, discussions on issues affecting the lives, welfare, security and economic well-being of Nigerians cannot remain permanently behind closed doors.

“When national issues of economy, security and justice are discussed, the people have a right to know the direction of leadership,” the Council said.

“Cardinal Onaiyekan did not reveal secrets. He shared the moral concerns of the Church and the response of government, which is in the public interest.”

The Council urged the Presidency and the Catholic Church to sustain dialogue in the national interest, saying Nigeria needs moral voices now more than ever.

It also declared solidarity with Cardinal Onaiyekan and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, while calling on Nigerians to pray for the country’s leaders and support policies that promote security, justice and economic relief.

“CLCN believes that government and Church must continue to work together for the common good. We urge both the Presidency and the Church to sustain the channels of dialogue. Nigeria needs moral voices now more than ever,” it added.

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