The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has criticised the Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, saying religious leaders lose credibility when they are perceived to be politically aligned.
Wike made the remarks during the August edition of his monthly media chat, which aired live on TVC on Tuesday, while commenting on the recent exchange between the Presidency and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria following its meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
According to the FCT minister, he has no objection to religious leaders speaking on issues of governance, provided their comments are balanced and objective.
“I have always said this, particularly to religious leaders. And I’m honest in this matter. I am not against comments about government, because if comments are not made about government, government may not be able to know areas where they should concentrate or focus.
“Therefore, government is available to receive comments. But when comments are made by a particular section consistently, government becomes… not even government, even individuals, because they are careful,” Wike said.
He argued that criticism becomes less effective when it is seen as one-sided, insisting that leaders should also acknowledge areas where the government has performed well.
“If you are a religious leader, and it is perceived or seen you are taking a side, which is very clear, it becomes difficult for people to begin to see those comments as being helpful or real.
“I am aware of the position of Cardinal Onaiyekan. All of us know; it’s not hidden. His position… who he supported. Everybody knows that,” he added.
When the programme’s interviewer said she was unaware of who the cardinal supported, Wike maintained that Onaiyekan’s disposition towards the current administration had consistently reflected opposition.
“You don’t every time say things are bad, things are bad. Nobody has heard him say one day government has done this well.
“The point I’m trying to make is that, as a leader, commend government when government has done well on some areas. Criticise government that, ‘Look, yes, you have done this well, this well, this well. But we think that you should look into these other areas.’
“But if your comments are every time nothing positive, then government must worry about you. Government will begin to think that you are merely criticising because you’re opposed to the government,” he said.
Wike also dismissed suggestions that religious leaders remained neutral during the 2023 general election, insisting that many openly aligned themselves with political interests.
“Don’t tell me non-partisans, no. Don’t tell me that. You know what happened in the 2023 election. People took sides—religious leaders took sides. It was very open.
“It would look… it would be stupid to sit here for anybody to tell me this person is impartial. No. We know ourselves in this country. We know who belongs to where,” he said.
Asked what religious leaders stood to gain by taking political positions, the minister replied, “Who did they support in 2023? It was very obvious. They made it clear.
“What I’m saying—there’s nothing wrong in that. But the point I’m saying is that you cannot be seen consistently holding just one view about the government.”
Wike’s comments follow the controversy that trailed the July 28 meeting between President Tinubu and members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria.
Read Also: Tinubu Rejected Bishops’ Concerns Over Economy, Insecurity – Onaiyekan
After the meeting, Cardinal Onaiyekan disclosed in an interview that the bishops raised concerns over the country’s economic hardship, insecurity and governance, but said the President disagreed with their assessment and maintained that Nigeria was making progress.
The Presidency later defended Tinubu’s position, with presidential aides Temitope Ajayi and Daniel Bwala arguing that the bishops had presented only one side of the national situation while also accusing some church leaders of taking partisan positions during the 2023 general election.