Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has faulted the Federal Government’s reaction to recent remarks by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), urging President Bola Tinubu to see the bishops as credible voices offering constructive advice instead of political rivals.
Obi said religious leaders serve as important representatives of the concerns of everyday Nigerians and should not be criticised for expressing their opinions on national issues.
In a statement released by his media office and signed by spokesman Idris Zekeri, Obi said the Catholic Church has consistently acted as a moral compass by acknowledging governments when deserved and speaking out on matters relating to justice and the welfare of citizens.
He also pointed out that other religious bodies, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), have voiced concerns about the nation’s economic hardship and security situation.
Obi said governments should embrace constructive criticism instead of interpreting opposing views as political attacks.
Reflecting on his tenure as governor of Anambra State, he said consultations with traditional rulers and religious leaders, including critics of his administration, helped strengthen governance, especially in the areas of education and healthcare.
In the statement titled “When a Government Declares War on the Truth,” Obi described the recent attacks on the Catholic bishops and Cardinal John Onaiyekan over their comments on national issues as unnecessary.
He argued that Nigeria’s security, economic and social challenges demand open engagement with differing opinions rather than attacks on individuals and institutions that highlight public concerns.
Obi also recalled that during the military era, religious leaders freely expressed their views on national matters without being vilified. He cited Pope John Paul II’s 1998 visit to Nigeria, during which the late pontiff publicly advocated democratic governance and the release of Chief Moshood Abiola.
He further questioned what he called the Federal Government’s inconsistent approach to the Catholic Church, noting that although President Tinubu attended the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV in Rome, some government officials and supporters later criticised senior Catholic clerics for their comments on national affairs.
Obi maintained that insecurity, inflation, unemployment and poverty affect every Nigerian irrespective of religion or ethnicity.
He added that contributions from religious leaders give government valuable insight into the realities faced by people at the grassroots and should be factored into policymaking instead of being dismissed.
According to Obi, paying attention to such perspectives can help close the gap between government policies and the everyday experiences of Nigerians.
