‘Catholic Priests Are Not Your Fake Bishops’ — Atiku Slams Tinubu Over Attack on Cardinal Onaiyekan

African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has strongly criticised the Presidency over its response to comments made by Catholic cleric John Cardinal Onaiyekan, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s administration of becoming increasingly intolerant of criticism and uncomfortable with honest feedback.

In a statement released on Sunday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the Presidency chose to attack respected religious leaders instead of reflecting on the issues they raised about the state of the nation.

The latest exchange followed a recent meeting between President Tinubu and members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), where the President defended his administration’s economic reforms, security efforts and the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

During the meeting, President Tinubu maintained that his administration had stabilised Nigeria’s economy and insisted that prosperity was on the horizon. He also rejected claims that democratic institutions were under threat, assuring the bishops that the electoral process would remain credible ahead of future elections.

However, speaking during a television interview days after the meeting, Cardinal Onaiyekan disclosed that the Catholic bishops presented a different assessment of the country’s condition to the President.

According to the Cardinal, the bishops told President Tinubu that Nigeria was “bleeding” and that many citizens were struggling under worsening economic hardship, insecurity and rising poverty.

Onaiyekan also revealed that the President and some members of his delegation appeared visibly unhappy with the bishops’ presentation.

“It was a different speech from what the President usually listens to,” the Cardinal said, adding that the Catholic bishops considered it their moral responsibility to speak truthfully about the realities confronting Nigerians.

His remarks triggered a sharp reaction from the Presidency, which accused the Catholic Church and Cardinal Onaiyekan of allegedly working in support of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

The Presidency’s response generated widespread debate, with critics arguing that religious leaders should be free to express concerns on national issues without being accused of partisan politics.

Reacting to the development, Atiku said the Presidency’s response reflected a dangerous intolerance for dissent and constructive criticism.

According to him, instead of responding to the substance of the bishops’ concerns, government officials chose to question the motives of respected religious leaders.

Atiku argued that Catholic bishops have a long-standing tradition of independence and moral courage, insisting they cannot be compared to what he described as politically compromised clerics.

“Catholic priests are not like your ‘fake bishops’,” Atiku declared, suggesting that the Tinubu administration had become accustomed to receiving praise from religious figures willing to support government narratives regardless of prevailing realities.

He further alleged that the Presidency’s reaction exposed an administration that had become uncomfortable with voices challenging its policies and performance.

The former Vice President also warned against attempts to politicise religious institutions, stressing that faith leaders have a constitutional and moral obligation to speak on issues affecting justice, governance and the welfare of citizens.

According to Atiku, criticism from religious leaders should serve as an opportunity for reflection rather than confrontation.

He maintained that democratic governments must tolerate opposing views and remain open to honest advice from institutions that command public respect and moral authority.

The exchange comes at a time when political tensions are gradually building ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition parties intensifying criticism of the Federal Government over economic conditions, insecurity and governance.

It also highlights the increasingly active role of religious organisations in national conversations on public policy, accountability and democratic governance.

While the Presidency insists its reforms are beginning to yield positive results, opposition figures and several civil society organisations continue to argue that millions of Nigerians are yet to experience meaningful economic relief.

The disagreement between the Tinubu administration and the Catholic Church has therefore become another flashpoint in the broader debate over Nigeria’s direction, with both sides maintaining sharply contrasting views on the country’s current realities.