By Jane Okafor, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, of allowing partisan considerations to influence his criticism of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Wike made the allegation on Tuesday, August 4, during a media parley where he responded to comments made by the cleric after a recent meeting between President Tinubu and members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).
Following the meeting, Cardinal Onaiyekan had expressed concern that those around the President might be presenting an overly positive picture of the country’s situation.
He also suggested that President Tinubu appeared to be focused on securing victory in the 2027 presidential election.
The remarks sparked reactions from the Presidency, which criticised the cardinal for publicly revealing details of a private meeting with the President, describing the disclosure as a breach of the privilege attached to such engagements.
However, Wike, while reacting to the controversy, questioned the neutrality of the cleric, alleging that Onaiyekan had openly supported a political candidate during the 2023 general election.
The former Rivers State governor argued that religious leaders should provide balanced assessments of government policies by acknowledging both achievements and shortcomings rather than focusing solely on criticisms.
According to Wike, repeated attacks on an administration without recognition of its accomplishments could suggest political bias.
“Everyone knows who Cardinal Onaiyekan is supporting,” Wike said, insisting that the cardinal’s position should be viewed within the context of his perceived political leanings.
“If a religious leader is perceived or seen to be taking a side, which is very clear, it is very difficult for people to begin to see those comments as being helpful.
“I am aware of the position of Cardinal Onaiyekan; all of us know, it’s not hidden, whom he supports; everybody knows that.
“It’s not every time you say things are bad; nobody has heard you say government has done this well.
“The point I am trying to make is that, as a leader, you should commend the government when it has done well in certain areas; criticise the government and say, look, you have done this well, but you should improve in these other areas.
“Don’t tell me they’re not partisan. You know what happened in the 2023 election. People took sides, religious leaders took sides, it was very open,” he said.
“I would be stupid to sit here and let anybody tell me this person is impartial. No. We know ourselves in this country; we know who belongs to where. Who did they support in 2023? It was very obvious,” Wike said.
Wike maintained that criticism of government was welcome in a democracy but argued that such criticism should be fair and objective.
