"HE SPOKE FOR THE ENTIRE NATION": ANGLICAN ARCHBISHOP SOSTHENES EZE BACKS CARDINAL ONAIYEKAN OVER STATE OF THE NATION REMARKS

The Archbishop of the Enugu Province of the Anglican Communion and Bishop of Enugu North, Most Rev. Sosthenes Eze, has thrown his full weight behind Archbishop Emeritus John Cardinal Onaiyekan and the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) following their recent high-level meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.

​Addressing press and church leaders in Enugu, Archbishop Eze emphasized that the intervention by Cardinal Onaiyekan and the Catholic episcopate resonated far beyond denominational lines, describing their report on rampant economic distress and mounting insecurity as the accurate voice of the Nigerian populace.

​The Anglican prelate rejected attempts by government surrogates to dismiss or politicize the clergy’s direct feedback, affirming that spiritual fathers have a moral duty to speak truth to power.

​"He [Cardinal John Onaiyekan] was not speaking only for the Catholic Church. In fact, he was speaking for the entire nation. What the bishops told the President represents the daily reality of millions of suffering Nigerians across every geopolitical zone, regardless of their religious affiliation."

​Key Highlights of Archbishop Eze's Statement

​Cross-Denominational Solidarity: Archbishop Eze highlighted that Christian leaders across Anglican, Catholic, and Protestant bodies share an aligned vision regarding the urgent need for government intervention to alleviate severe socio-economic hardship and secure vulnerable communities.

​Refusal to Muffle Truth: He cautioned political aides against attempting to silence elder statesmen of faith, noting that genuine spiritual leaders cannot cover up the systemic pain experienced at the grassroots level.

​Call for Action Over Rhetoric: The Archbishop called on the presidency and executive arm of government to view the candid feedback provided by religious leaders as a constructive guide toward policy adjustments rather than political opposition.