The Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu did not agree with concerns expressed by members of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria over the state of the economy, insecurity and the country's political direction.
Onaiyekan made the revelation during an interview on Arise Television, days after the bishops met with the President at the State House in Abuja to discuss issues affecting the nation.
According to the cleric, the bishops informed Tinubu that many Nigerians were grappling with severe economic hardship, but the President maintained that his administration's economic policies were yielding positive results.
"We told him that the economy was worsening the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians, but he insisted the economy was doing well. He made it clear that he did not share our assessment," Onaiyekan said.
He explained that the bishops were not surprised by the President's response, adding that their responsibility was to convey the concerns of Nigerians rather than seek his endorsement.
The former Catholic archbishop stressed that the presentation made to Tinubu reflected the collective views of the bishops after careful deliberation, noting that they had no political agenda but a moral obligation to speak on national issues.
He said the delegation deliberately painted an honest picture of the country's situation instead of presenting what government officials might have preferred to hear.
Onaiyekan also expressed concern that many people within government were unwilling to provide the President with frank advice, describing the situation as detrimental to good governance.
Speaking on the nation's political landscape, he defended the bishops' warning against the emergence of a dominant one-party system, saying a healthy democracy depends on free, fair and competitive elections.
He further advocated reforms to enhance the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission, arguing that public confidence in the electoral body would remain fragile while its leadership continued to be appointed by the President.
The cleric urged the Federal Government to focus on addressing the country's pressing socio-economic and security challenges, insisting that Nigerians expected tangible improvements in their living conditions rather than assurances.
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