Much Ado about Onaiyekan and Emilokan

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) recently held a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the presidential villa, presenting him with candid assessments of the nation's pressing issues. Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, the archbishop emeritus of Abuja, revealed details of the closed-door session, describing their approach as delivering "home truths" regarding the severe economic hardship, pervasive insecurity, and the state of democracy in Nigeria. Onaiyekan conveyed that the bishops informed the president that the economy is not benefiting the poor populace. However, President Tinubu reportedly disagreed with their assessment, asserting that his administration's economic policies are progressing well. "He told us quite clearly that he did not agree with us," Onaiyekan stated, adding, "We didn’t expect him to agree with us. We have done our duty, we have delivered our message."

The exchange highlights a significant disconnect between the lived experiences of many Nigerians, as articulated by the bishops, and the administration's perspective on its economic performance. The bishops' frankness stems from the belief that a nation in distress requires direct communication. Onaiyekan expressed a hope that "somehow, along the line, somebody will show him a few of the things we said," indicating a desire for the president to eventually acknowledge the gravity of the situation.

The article also touches upon the linguistic parallel between Tinubu's famous "Emilokan" (my turn) and Onaiyekan's surname, which is a contraction of a Yoruba phrase also meaning "my turn." This linguistic similarity is presented as a mere coincidence, contrasting the political ambition of Tinubu with the spiritual and pastoral role of Onaiyekan. The piece questions the strong reactions from Tinubu's supporters to the bishops' critique, posing whether economic hardship is indeed prevalent. It references former President Muhammadu Buhari's reluctance to remove the fuel subsidy, a move Tinubu enacted immediately upon taking office, leading to a tripling of petrol prices and subsequent increases in transportation and goods costs. This context suggests that while Buhari's delay in subsidy removal led to fiscal crises, Tinubu's swift action, though aimed at economic reform, has directly impacted the cost of living for ordinary Nigerians.

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When the nation is bleeding, you cannot expect a polite meeting with the head of state. We told him the economy is not helping our poor people; he told us the economy is doing fine. Frankly speaking, he told us quite clearly that he did not agree with us. We didn’t expect him to agree with us. We have done our duty, we have delivered our message, and we have a feeling that, somehow, along the line, somebody will show him a few of the things we said.