(Cardinal John Onaiyekan. Photo Credit: Vatican News)
Cardinal John Onaiyekan, the retired Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, says criticism from the Presidency won’t shake him or stop him from speaking out.
He insists he went public to tell the truth about a meeting between Catholic bishops and President Tinubu.
The 82-year-old cleric, speaking in a video shared by a news outlet, rejected the idea that the Presidency’s response could intimidate or embarrass him.
He didn’t appear on television to make the government happy or please anyone else, he said his only aim was to speak honestly about what the bishops discussed with Tinubu.
At his age, he added, embarrassment doesn’t touch him, and he fears no one.
He questioned whether anyone would dare arrest him at this point.
He urged Nigerians not to take their freedom to criticize leaders for granted.
Many African countries don’t allow bishops to speak as freely as they can in Nigeria, so the country’s openness is something to protect and value.
Onaiyekan made clear he wasn’t speaking just for himself.
The bishops drafted a statement together containing everything he said in his interview, so his words reflected the voice of all the bishops who attended the meeting, he explained.
The bishops met Tinubu at the presidential residence in Abuja on July 28 to discuss economic hardship, insecurity, democracy, the 2027 elections, religious freedom and the return of mission schools under church control.
Three days later, Onaiyekan gave his account on a news programme, saying the bishops had spoken bluntly to Tinubu about how Nigerians were suffering.
A presidential aide then criticized him publicly for disclosing details of what he saw as a private meeting. But Onaiyekan stood his ground.
The problems Nigeria faces poverty and suffering are too urgent to stay silent about. Everyone is affected, so honest conversation is necessary, he said.
