Tinubu disagreed with Catholic bishops’ assessment of economy, insecurity – Onaiyekan

President Bola Tinubu has reportedly clashed with the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria over their assessment of the country's economic and security situation.

Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, John Onaiyekan, revealed that during a meeting at the State House, Tinubu rejected the bishops' concerns. "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," Onaiyekan said in an interview with Arise News.

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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.

Onaiyekan stressed that the bishops presented their collective position, which stemmed from extensive consultations, to convey the harsh realities confronting Nigerians. He clarified that they have no political ambitions but feel a duty to speak on issues affecting the populace. "We are not politicians running for office. We are religious leaders who feel we have a duty not just to preach our doctrines but also to address the lives of our people," he stated.

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We are not politicians running for office. We are religious leaders who feel we have a duty not just to preach our doctrines but also to address the lives of our people.

The archbishop also addressed the political climate, defending the bishops' warning against a potential one-party state. He argued that democracy requires credible elections and a level playing field. Regarding Tinubu's defense of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Onaiyekan noted that doubts about INEC's neutrality persist as long as its leadership is appointed by the president, urging reforms to bolster public confidence in the electoral process.

Onaiyekan expressed concern that few individuals within the government are willing to tell the President the unvarnished truth, identifying this as a significant national challenge. He urged Tinubu to safeguard Nigeria's democratic institutions, emphasizing the bishops' united belief that Nigerians deserve better and that the government should prioritize addressing the nation's challenges over celebrating its achievements.

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Doubts over the commission’s neutrality would remain as long as its leadership was appointed by the President, urging reforms to strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.