Presidency Rebukes Cardinal Onaiyekan After Clash With President Tinubu

The Presidency of Nigeria has condemned Cardinal John Onaiyekan for granting a television interview to recount a closed-door meeting between President Bola Tinubu and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). Temitope Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, described the Cardinal's actions as an abuse of clerical privilege, arguing that the private nature of the conversation should have been preserved.

During the meeting at the State House in Abuja, the CBCN delegation, led by President Matthew Ndagoso, presented an address stating the country was bleeding due to economic hardships, poverty, and security concerns. President Bola Tinubu rejected this assessment, asserting that the economy was doing fine and stabilizing. He further defended the neutrality of the Independent National Electoral Commission and dismissed political opponents as being afraid of their own shadows.

In a subsequent interview with Arise TV, Onaiyekan claimed the president appeared unhappy during the exchange. He attributed this reaction to a disconnect between the reality faced by citizens and the rosy picture provided by presidential associates. Onaiyekan further warned that the administration is determined to retain power in the 2027 elections by all means, suggesting that available government resources could undermine the credibility of the vote.