Cardinal John Onaiyekan, the 82-year-old Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, has strongly defended his recent television appearance in which he criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, declaring that he cannot be silenced or intimidated for speaking the truth. The senior cleric dismissed concerns about potential repercussions, asserting that his age and commitment to honesty shield him from fear of arrest or embarrassment.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Onaiyekan explained that his appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time was motivated solely by a desire to tell the truth, not to please the government. The cardinal revealed that during a July 28, 2026 meeting between President Tinubu and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, church leaders expressed serious concerns about the country’s deteriorating economy, widespread insecurity, and troubled political climate. However, according to Onaiyekan, the president rejected their assessment and insisted his administration was performing well.
Onaiyekan questioned rhetorically who would arrest an octogenarian clergyman for expressing his views, emphasizing that Nigerians should not take their relative freedom of speech for granted. He noted that many African nations lack such liberties, with bishops unable to speak as freely as their Nigerian counterparts without facing severe consequences. The cardinal added that he felt no obligation to respond personally to social media critics because other Nigerians had already defended him.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between religious leaders and the Tinubu administration over governance issues. As Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections, such confrontations between clergy and political leaders may intensify, particularly if economic conditions continue to worsen and citizens seek moral guidance from respected religious figures like Cardinal Onaiyekan.
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