Catholic Laity Council Backs Onaiyekan, Urges Dialogue Over Presidency Dispute
By Stella Enenche, Abuja
The Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria (CLCN) has defended Cardinal John Onaiyekan over allegations that he breached trust by commenting publicly on a recent meeting between President Bola Tinubu and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), insisting that the cleric merely fulfilled the Church’s moral obligation to speak on issues of national concern.
In a statement jointly signed by the National President of the CLCN, Sir Ambrose Obioba, and the Secretary General, Mr. Francis Ojo, on August 2, the Council said it had taken note of the Presidency’s reaction to Cardinal Onaiyekan’s interview but rejected suggestions that his remarks amounted to a betrayal of confidence.
According to the Council, the Church’s mission extends beyond spiritual guidance to speaking truth to those in authority and advocating for the vulnerable.
“The Catholic Church in Nigeria, by virtue of the Gospel and Catholic Social Teaching, has a God-given duty to speak truth to power, to defend the vulnerable and to hold leadership accountable with truth and charity. This is not ‘abuse of privilege’ but the fulfillment of pastoral responsibility,” the statement said.
The Council maintained that although private meetings deserve respect, discussions on governance and national welfare are matters of legitimate public interest.
It stated, “While we respect the sanctity of private engagements, matters that touch on the life, welfare and future of over 200 million Nigerians cannot remain forever in closed rooms. Cardinal Onaiyekan did not reveal secrets.
He shared the moral concerns of the Church and the response of government, which is in the public interest.”
Defending the former Archbishop of Abuja, the Council described him as a respected cleric whose intervention was motivated by patriotism rather than politics.
“We know Cardinal Onaiyekan to be a man of peace, dialogue and integrity. His intervention was not to embarrass government, but to call the nation to conscience,” it said, adding that “a disagreement over facts should not be read as arrogance, neither should a pastoral reflection be read as a breach of trust.”
The Council further appealed for sustained cooperation between the Church and government, saying both institutions have vital roles in promoting national unity, justice and development.
“Government and Church must continue to work together for the common good.
We urge both the Presidency and the Church to sustain the channels of dialogue. Nigeria needs moral voices now more than ever,” it stated.
Reaffirming its support for Cardinal Onaiyekan and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, the Council called on Nigerians to continue praying for national leaders and to support policies that improve the lives of citizens.
“We stand in solidarity with His Eminence Cardinal John Onaiyekan and the CBCN. We call on all Nigerians to pray for our leaders, and to support policies that bring relief to the poor, security to our communities, and justice to all,” the statement added.
