NATION IS BLEEDING": CARDINAL ONAIYEKAN DISCLOSES TINUBU’S REJECTION OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ ECONOMIC AND SECURITY ASSESSMENT

Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has revealed that President Bola Tinubu openly disagreed with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) over their assessment of the country’s worsening economic conditions, security threats, and democratic health during a meeting at the Presidential Villa.

​Speaking during an interview on Prime Time on Arise Television following the delegation’s visit, Cardinal Onaiyekan explained that the bishops felt a moral obligation to present the harsh realities confronting ordinary Nigerians rather than echoing flattering reports.

​"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 stated.

​Highlights of the Interview & Key Disclosures

​Rejection of Reality: Cardinal Onaiyekan expressed deep concern that advisors and aides surrounding the President are painting a "rosy picture" of national affairs that contradicts the economic hardship and insecurity experienced by citizens on the ground.

​Concerns Over 2027 General Elections: The cleric warned that the current administration appears "bent on winning by all means" in the 2027 elections. He expressed fears that the immense state resources at the government's disposal could be deployed in a manner that undermines electoral integrity, risking a scenario where the votes of the electorate may not ultimately count.

​Institutional Neutrality and Electoral Reforms: Defending the CBCN's warning against the threat of a dominant one-party state, Onaiyekan challenged the President’s assertion of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) neutrality, insisting that genuine electoral credibility requires structural reforms that build public trust.

​Duty of Spiritual Leaders: Reaffirming the role of the clergy, Onaiyekan emphasized that the Catholic bishops have no political ambitions or partisan interests. Their intervention was rooted entirely in their duty to speak truth to power and advocate for the welfare and safety of suffering Nigerians.