Onaiyekan: Tinubu Is Being Misled About Nigeria

Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of Abuja, has expressed concern that President Bola Tinubu may not be receiving an accurate assessment of the country’s economic and social conditions from many of those around him.

According to him, the responsibility of the Church is not to offer comforting narratives but to present an honest reflection of the nation’s challenges so that the country’s leadership can make informed decisions.

Onaiyekan stressed that the bishops considered it their moral obligation to communicate the true condition of the country, even if the message was uncomfortable or unpopular.

He explained that the delegation sought to draw the President’s attention to the hardships confronting citizens, insisting that acknowledging the realities on the ground is essential for addressing Nigeria’s pressing economic and social challenges.

The former Archbishop reiterated that the bishops approached the meeting in good faith, believing that constructive criticism and truthful engagement remain important elements of national leadership and governance.