Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, has said President Bola Tinubu did not agree with concerns raised by members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) during their recent meeting in Abuja.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Onaiyekan explained that the bishops met with the President to share their assessment of the country’s economic and social conditions, which they said reflected the experiences of many Nigerians.
According to the cleric, the delegation believed it was important to present its perspective on the challenges facing the country, even if those views differed from the reports the President regularly receives from members of his administration and other advisers.
Onaiyekan said the bishops anticipated that the discussion might not be well received, but maintained that their responsibility was to communicate what they considered the realities confronting citizens.
He noted that President Tinubu responded by rejecting the concerns raised during the meeting, a reaction he said did not come as a surprise given the differing assessments of the nation’s condition.
The cardinal added that the Church considers it part of its public responsibility to contribute to national conversations by offering constructive observations on governance and issues affecting Nigerians.
The meeting between the Catholic Bishops and the President covered a range of national matters, including the economy and governance. President Tinubu reiterated his administration’s position on the country’s progress and also expressed confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The exchange has continued to attract public attention, with discussions focusing on the role of religious leaders in governance and the differing perspectives on Nigeria’s current challenges.
