The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Presidency over its response to comments by Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Onaiyekan, insisting that no one requires the approval of the Presidency to speak the truth in a democratic society.
In a statement issued on Monday by his spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku called on President Bola Tinubu and the Presidency to tender an immediate and unreserved apology to Cardinal John Onaiyekan and the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria.
The former Vice President’s reaction followed the recent visit of the Catholic Bishops Conference to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where Onaiyekan disclosed that President Tinubu disagreed with the bishops’ assessment of the country’s economic and security situation, maintaining that his administration remained on the right path.
Responding to the development, Atiku said the Presidency was not “a secret cult where only approved voices are permitted to speak,” stressing that freedom of expression is a constitutional right in a democratic nation.
He accused the Presidency of attempting to discredit respected religious leaders instead of addressing the concerns they raised, arguing that Catholic bishops have a moral responsibility to speak truth to power and cannot be turned into political tools.
According to Atiku, the issues highlighted by Onaiyekan reflect the daily experiences of millions of Nigerians grappling with hunger, insecurity, unemployment, rising poverty and the high cost of living.
He further stated that a government confident in its performance should embrace constructive criticism rather than attack dissenting voices, warning that democracy cannot thrive if religious leaders, civil society groups and citizens are expected to remain silent or become government praise singers.
Atiku maintained that the Presidency should focus on tackling the country’s pressing challenges instead of criticising those drawing attention to them.
He concluded by demanding an apology from the Tinubu administration to Cardinal Onaiyekan, the Catholic Bishops Conference and the wider Catholic community, describing the alleged attacks on the cleric as an affront to one of Nigeria’s most respected moral institutions.
