2027: Obi, Kwankwaso defend Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Onaiyekan over criticism of Tinubu

Nigerian presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso have defended the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and John Cardinal Onaiyekan, asserting their right to "speak truth to power" during a meeting with President Bola Tinubu. The candidates criticized the presidency's recent attack on Onaiyekan, accusing it of growing intolerance of dissent.

In a statement titled “When a Government Declares War on the Truth,” Obi argued that attacks on religious leaders addressing national challenges threaten democracy. He stressed that Nigeria's severe economic hardship, insecurity, inflation, and unemployment necessitate sincere engagement and constructive criticism, rather than hostility towards legitimate concerns.

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As leaders, we should be gracious enough to listen to people and organisations that speak the truth to us and genuinely criticise us when things are not going in the right direction.

Obi highlighted the CBCN's historical role as the nation's moral conscience, consistently speaking out on issues affecting the common good under various administrations. He noted that other major Islamic and Christian organizations, including Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), have also voiced concerns over the country's escalating insecurity and economic woes.

Drawing on his experience as governor of Anambra State, Obi stated that constructive criticism from traditional rulers and religious leaders significantly contributed to his administration's successes, particularly in education and healthcare. He urged leaders to be open to listening to truthful criticism, emphasizing that religious leaders are often the first to witness the suffering of ordinary Nigerians due to their close community ties and daily engagement with families struggling with soaring food prices, unemployment, and kidnappings.

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When a Government Declares War on the Truth