Catholic priests not like ‘fake bishops’, Atiku flays presidency’s attack on Onaiyekan

Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has condemned the Nigerian presidency's response to Catholic Archbishop John Cardinal Onaiyekan, accusing the administration of growing intolerance. Abubakar asserted that the presidency attacked the cleric and the Catholic Church instead of addressing the substance of Onaiyekan's message about the nation's struggles. The cardinal had recently told President Bola Tinubu that Nigeria is "bleeding" and its economy is failing its citizens. Abubakar suggested the presidency's reaction stemmed from a habit of relying on "fake and compliant clerics" for political messaging. He contrasted this with the independence of Catholic bishops, whom he described as shepherds with a moral duty to speak truth to power, regardless of who is displeased. "They cannot be used," Abubakar stated, emphasizing the church's historical role as a moral voice for the vulnerable. He characterized the presidency's commentary against Onaiyekan as arrogant and an attempt to distort the cleric's engagement with the president. Abubakar argued that a confident government welcomes criticism for improvement, while an insecure one attacks honest voices.

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Perhaps the Presidency has become so accustomed to inviting ‘fake bishops’ that it now assumes every cleric can be recruited into political propaganda. But Catholic bishops are different. They are not political props, rented cheerleaders or praise singers. They are shepherds with a moral obligation to speak truth to power, regardless of whose interests are bruised. They cannot be used.