The Catholic Laity Council has officially defended Cardinal Onaiyekan following his recent public clash with the Presidency over a closed-door meeting with President Tinubu. Representing over 38 million Catholic faithful across Nigeria, the council released a statement emphasizing that holding leadership accountable is a God-given pastoral responsibility, not an abuse of privilege.
This major intervention follows intense government pushback after the respected cleric shared details of a private conversation between the president and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria.
People within the religious community have pointed out that critical matters of national survival cannot remain hidden away in closed rooms.
Addressing the strict accusations of breaching confidentiality, the council made it clear that the cardinal did not expose any classified state secrets. Instead, he simply shared the genuine moral concerns of the church and the government’s subsequent response, which they insist is entirely in the public interest.
When national issues surrounding the economy, security, and basic justice are discussed, the people have a fundamental right to know the direction of their leadership. The council firmly believes that the welfare and future of over 200 million Nigerians easily override the sanctity of private political engagements.
Defending the clergyman’s character, the council described him as a man of peace, dialogue, and deep integrity. They noted that his public intervention was never designed to embarrass the government, but rather to serve as a necessary call to the nation’s conscience. A simple disagreement over economic facts, as the Presidency previously noted, should not be read as arrogance.
Furthermore, they argued that a pastoral reflection must never be misinterpreted as a breach of trust. Moving forward, the group urged both the presidency and religious institutions to sustain open channels of dialogue, maintaining that the Church and State are partners in nation-building.
They stressed that Nigeria desperately needs moral voices now more than ever. Signed by National President Sir Ambrose Obioha and Secretary General Mr. Francis Olayinka Ojo, the statement concluded with a strong pledge of solidarity with the bishops, asking Nigerians to support policies that bring tangible relief to the poor and secure local communities.
