President Tinubu Rejects Catholic Bishops' Negative National Assessment

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rejected a negative assessment of Nigeria's economy and security during a meeting with the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. While the bishops expressed concerns regarding the political climate and economic instability, Tinubu maintained that his administration remains on the right track.

The meeting drew mixed political reactions. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu defended the president, stating that current national hardships are not Tinubu's fault. Kalu argued that the bishops act as the conscience of the country and provide an honest reality that some politicians hide from the president.

Simultaneously, the Presidency defended its economic reforms and dismissed claims from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar regarding a 7.98 trillion naira oil windfall as misleading. Atiku Abubakar responded by condemning the administration's intolerance of dissent and criticizing attacks on Cardinal John Onaiyekan. The Northern Christian Association also expressed support for the Catholic bishops and cautioned the president's Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Daniel Bwala, against using divisive politics that could undermine Christian unity.