Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to see the recent comments from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) as constructive advice rather than political opposition.
Obi criticised the Federal Government’s response to the bishops’ concerns, arguing that religious leaders have a responsibility to speak on issues affecting Nigerians and should not be attacked for expressing their views on national matters.
In a statement released by his media office and signed by his spokesman, Idris Zekeri, Obi said the Catholic Church has historically played a role as a moral voice in Nigeria by supporting positive government actions while also highlighting issues relating to justice, accountability, and public welfare.
The former Anambra State governor noted that other major religious bodies, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), and Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), have also raised concerns about Nigeria’s economic difficulties and security challenges.
Obi said democratic governments should welcome honest feedback instead of interpreting criticism as an attempt to undermine their authority. He argued that listening to different perspectives helps leaders understand the real experiences of citizens.
Reflecting on his time as governor of Anambra State, Obi said engaging with traditional rulers and religious leaders, including those who criticised his administration, helped improve governance outcomes, particularly in education and healthcare.
In his statement titled “When a Government Declares War on the Truth,” Obi described criticism directed at Catholic bishops and Cardinal John Onaiyekan following their comments on national issues as unnecessary and counterproductive.
He said Nigeria’s challenges, including insecurity, inflation, unemployment, and poverty, require open dialogue rather than confrontation with individuals and institutions raising concerns about the state of the nation.
Obi also recalled the role religious leaders played during Nigeria’s military era, citing the 1998 visit of Pope John Paul II, during which the late pontiff advocated for democratic governance and the release of Chief Moshood Abiola.
The former presidential candidate questioned what he described as mixed signals from the government, noting that while President Tinubu attended the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV in Rome, some government officials and supporters later criticised Catholic leaders over their public comments.
Obi maintained that concerns raised by religious leaders reflect the struggles of Nigerians across different backgrounds and should serve as useful guidance for policymakers.
He added that engaging with voices from communities can help government bridge the gap between official policies and the everyday realities faced by citizens.
