A fresh political debate has emerged over the changing relationship between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, with critics pointing to the party’s contrasting reactions to the cleric’s comments under different administrations.
In 2014, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was in power under former President Goodluck Jonathan, the APC openly sought Onaiyekan’s support and welcomed his views on governance and democracy.
Executive Branch During a courtesy visit by the party’s then newly elected National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the respected Catholic cleric urged the Jonathan administration to embrace the existence of the opposition, describing it as a vital pillar of democracy.
Speaking in Abuja, Onaiyekan stressed that politics was a noble calling and encouraged politicians to see public service as a divine responsibility.
News He also defended Nigeria’s democratic journey, insisting that political competition should not be seen as enmity but as different approaches to achieving a better nation.
“We believe that politics is a noble game because it is the way whereby we as human beings act on behalf of God to take good care of our fellow men,” he said, urging leaders to ensure they had genuinely been called into public service.
The Cardinal further declared that Nigeria remained a viable project despite its numerous challenges and called on political actors to manage the country’s diversity through peaceful and rational engagement.
Onaiyekan’s 2026 Comments Spark Presidency’s Anger
Twelve years later, the same cleric has found himself at the centre of criticism from members of the APC-led Federal Government following his comments about the state of the nation after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
News Week Nigeria had reported that Onaiyekan disclosed details of a closed-door meeting between President Tinubu and a delegation of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) held on July 28, 2026.
According to the Archbishop Emeritus, the bishops told the President that “the nation is bleeding” and that millions of Nigerians were facing severe economic hardship.
He said the delegation expressed concern over the impact of current economic policies on ordinary citizens, adding that it would have been impossible to present such realities politely. “When the nation is bleeding, you cannot expect a polite meeting with the Head of State,” Onaiyekan said while recounting the discussion.
However, he disclosed that President Tinubu disagreed with the bishops’ assessment, insisting that his administration’s reforms were producing results and that the economy was improving.
Presidency Fires Back
The Presidency swiftly responded to the Cardinal’s remarks, accusing him of violating the confidentiality of the meeting and abusing what it described as his clerical privilege. Presidential aides, including Temitope Ajayi and Daniel Bwala, criticised Onaiyekan for publicly discussing the contents of the private engagement.
They argued that President Tinubu merely relied on available economic data to defend his administration’s policies and rejected what they described as an incomplete portrayal of the government’s position.
The exchange has since generated widespread reactions, with many observers drawing attention to the contrast between the APC’s warm reception of Onaiyekan’s criticisms during the Jonathan administration and its strong rebuke of similar comments directed at the current government.
