Post by Peter Agbontaen (@PeterA)

AN UNFLINCHING REBUKE TO THE PRESIDENCY’S ATTACK ON THE CHURCH AND THE NIGERIAN PEOPLE

It is a profound and tragic irony that an administration presiding over unprecedented economic hardship, poverty, deep-seated insecurity, and widespread public despair chooses to direct its energy toward attacking the innocent messengers of truth. The recent state-sponsored vitriol unleashed by presidential spokespersons and aides against His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan after his candid disclosures on ARISE Television marks a dangerous new low in state arrogance and manifest disconnect from the people.

Let it be clearly known that Catholic Action Nigeria and the National Association of Catholic Lawyers recuse themselves from the comfortable option of silence. We will always rise to the occasion to improve this nation for the common good of every Nigerian. It is highly unwise for the political class to continue testing the waters and to unduly strain the patience of millions of patriotic Nigerians. Our people have endured and tolerated far too many contradictions and apparent abuse of power. Nigeria belongs to ALL of us. No single group, political party, or overzealous presidential aide has more rights than any other citizen to speak up for the common good. And His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, is a bona fide citizen of Nigeria, with every constitutional right to freedom of expression; and by virtue of his position, is eminently qualified to speak for the majority of vulnerable Nigerians who have been impoverished by the bad economy and the corruption and maladministration that has engulfed the country.

The government's attempt to dismiss His Eminence, Cardinal Onaiyekan’s words as "intellectual dishonesty" or an "abuse of clerical privilege" reveals a complete disconnect from the daily realities of life on the Nigerian street. The Cardinal and the Bishops did not go to Aso Rock to beg for favours; they went as the prophetic conscience of a suffering nation. They told the President what his praise-singers hide from him: that the economy is crushing the poor, security has broken down, and our democracy is drifting dangerously towards a precipice or destructive explosion.

Furthermore, government must recognize that the concerns raised by our bishops are not isolated, partisan grievances. They are backed by the highest authority of the global Catholic Church. On February 8, 2026, at the Vatican in Rome, after reciting the noonday Angelus prayer, Pope Leo XIV, speaking from a window overlooking St. Peter's Square, openly declared his deep "sorrow and concern" over the relentless wave of deadly attacks, massacres, and terrorism plaguing various communities in Nigeria. The Holy Father publicly prayed for Nigeria and demanded that the competent Nigerian authorities work with genuine determination to ensure the safety and protection of every citizen's life. The Presidency's media attack dogs are, therefore, not just fighting local clergy; they are actively disparaging a global message of justice validated by the Vatican itself.

The current administration cannot pride itself on glaring political hypocrisy. We must remind His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu of 2014. In November 2014, when the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria strongly criticized the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan over insecurity and bad governance, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including His Excellency, President Tinubu himself, who was then the leader of the opposition, praised the Catholic Bishops to the skies. The opposition at that time celebrated the Church’s bold interventions, using the bishops’ words as a political shield and validation for their campaign.

What has changed between 2014 and 2026? The Catholic Church has not changed its message or its conviction. The only thing that has changed is that those who once benefited from the truth while in opposition are now the ones sitting in the seat of power, squirming under the heat of that same truth. The Church cannot be an ally when it criticizes a rival government and then becomes an enemy when it points out the failures or lapses of the incumbent administration.

The prophetic and moral messages of clergymen play a vital role in building a better nation. We remember the consistent, unyielding interventions of our bishops throughout our political history, standing against military dictatorships, speaking truth to the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo, confronting the gaps in the Yar'Adua and Jonathan tenures, and calling out the rampant nepotism of the Buhari era. While the Church is not against any Government, the Church has always and at all times stood with the oppressed masses.

If Mr. President approves these insulting releases by his media aides, he is validating an unprecedented assault on the Church and the masses. If he does not approve, he must immediately silence his attack dogs and issue a personal statement denouncing the unch

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