Wike, Amaechi differ on Onaiyekan’s outburst

 

• Wike, Amaechi differ on Onaiyekan’s outburst

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi yesterday clashed over John Cardinal Onaiyekan’s position on the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.

Amaechi, who is Wike’s predecessor as governor of Rivers State, defended Cardinal Onaiyekan over the backlash that followed his criticism of the administration, saying the Presidency should address the issues he raised instead of attacking him.

He said on the television last night that the cleric merely echoed the concerns of millions of Nigerians battling economic hardship, insecurity and declining living standards.Nigerian Business Coverage

But Wike disagreed with Amaechi, the running mate to African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, saying that the Cardinal lacked the moral authority to act as an impartial referee in national affairs.

He said during his televised media chat that religious leaders should be mindful of their position and exercise caution in their public interventions.

Following the meeting between President Tinubu and members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the State House, Abuja, Onaiyekan, Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, said presidential aides were feeding President Tinubu with a “rosy picture” of the socio-economic reality while the administration remained fixated on securing a second term in 2027.Nigerian Business Coverage

Onaiyekan said on the television that the bishops expressed concerns over the state of the economy, insecurity and governance, urging the President to prioritise addressing Nigerians’ hardships.

The retired Bishop of Abuja Diocese, said the President is desperate to win next year’s elections.

Doubting the prospects of a credible election in January, Onaiyekan said the president has access to resources which he can use to determine the outcome of the poll.

The Presidency swiftly condemned the outburst, describing it an abuse of privilege.

Presidential Spokesman Daniel Bwala faulted the cardinal’s remarks, accusing him of misrepresenting the meeting.

He said Onaiyekan’s comments did not accurately reflect the discussions with the President.

Religious leaders can speak truth to power, says Amaechi

Amaechi said that religious leaders have a moral responsibility to speak truth to power, adding that they should not be intimidated or vilified for expressing views on matters of national importance.

The former minister, who said there was nothing private in the meeting between the clerics and the President, maintained that the cardinal’s remarks reflected the realities confronting ordinary Nigerians.

He said the criticism of government policies should not be misconstrued as an attack on the President or the government.

Amaechi said: “The issues raised by the bishops are real. Instead of engaging in unnecessary exchanges with Cardinal Onaiyekan, the government should respond to the substance of what he said.”

He maintained that democracy thrives when citizens, civil society groups and religious leaders are free to express dissenting opinions without fear of intimidation.

Amaechi said governments become stronger when they listen to constructive criticism, stressing that dismissing critical voices would neither reduce inflation nor solve the country’s security and economic challenges.

Clerics taking sides, says Wike

Wike recalled that Onaiyekan took sides during the 2023 presidential campaign, adding that his recent barbs against President Tinubu are politically driven.

Throwing his weight behind the administration, Wike said that religious leaders forfeit their public authority when their interventions become relentlessly one-sided and blind to government strides.

He said: “If a religious leader is perceived or seen to be taking sides, which is very clear, it is very difficult for people to begin to see those comments as being helpful,” Wike declared.

“I am aware of the position of Cardinal Onaiyekan; all of us know—it’s not hidden—whom he supports. Everybody knows”.

The minister urged religious leaders to adopt a balanced posture if they truly seek to act as the nation’s moral conscience, warning that non-stop opposition-style rhetoric would destroy their credibility.

Wike said: “It’s not every time you say things are bad; nobody has heard you say the government has done this well.

“The point I am trying to make is that, as a leader, commend the government when the government has done well in certain areas; criticize the government and say, look, you have done this well, but you should improve in these other areas”.

The minister said when public figures consistently resort to negative commentaries, government would naturally view such criticisms not as genuine counsel, but as the calculated salvos of political opponents.

He said: “Don’t tell me they’re not partisan. You know what happened in the 2023 election.

“I would be stupid to sit here for anybody to 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?”