Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has strongly condemned what he described as sustained attacks on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), warning that Nigeria is increasingly becoming hostile to truth and constructive criticism. In a statement posted on his official social media page, Obi reacted to criticisms directed at the Catholic Church over its comments on the country's economic and security challenges.
Obi Defends Catholic Church's Role as Nation's Conscience
The former Anambra State governor asserted that the Catholic Church has consistently served as the conscience of the nation rather than acting as an opposition group. According to him, the CBCN has always commended governments when necessary and spoken out whenever national interest required it. He noted that other major 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 also repeatedly raised concerns over insecurity, poverty, inflation, and unemployment.
Obi emphasized that these organizations speak out because they witness the daily hardship faced by ordinary Nigerians. He argued that leaders should welcome honest criticism instead of attacking individuals and groups highlighting the nation's challenges.
Full Statement: 'When a Government Declares War on the Truth'
In his statement, Obi quoted President Donald Trump of America, who recently described Nigeria as "a now disgraced country." He lamented that Nigeria's challenges continue to deepen, with each passing day revealing deeper signs of decline, especially when a government becomes increasingly intolerant of truth and hostile to those who speak about the suffering of the people.
Obi stressed that the Catholic Church has never functioned as an opposition party in Nigeria. Across military regimes and successive democratic administrations, the CBCN has maintained a principled voice on national issues, commending governments when they deserved commendation and speaking the truth whenever national conscience demanded it. He explained that its interventions are driven by a moral obligation, rooted in Christian social teaching, to defend truth, justice, and the common good.
Religious Leaders Witness Suffering Firsthand
The same applies to Nigeria's major religious organizations, Obi said. Bodies such as JNI, SCSN, CAN, and NSCIA have repeatedly raised concerns over economic hardship, inflation, and insecurity. Living among the people, religious leaders often encounter the suffering of citizens firsthand. They speak because they witness families struggling with rising food prices, unemployment, and the fear created by kidnappings and insecurity.
As leaders, we should be gracious enough to listen to people and organizations that speak the truth to us and genuinely criticize us when things are not going in the right direction, Obi said. He cited his experience as Governor of Anambra State, working with a strong Council of Traditional Rulers led by the Obi of Onitsha, and religious bodies that consistently criticized him and offered suggestions. This contributed greatly to their success, especially in critical areas like education and health.
Attacks on Cardinal Onaiyekan Deeply Troubling
Obi described the attacks on the CBCN, particularly on His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, as deeply troubling. He recalled that even in 1998, when Pope John Paul II visited Nigeria and told General Abacha some hard truths, including about the incarceration of Chief Moshood Abiola, nobody vilified him.
He noted that during the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV in Rome, President Bola Tinubu arrived days before the event, ahead of most other visiting dignitaries, including Catholics such as the U.S. Vice President, JD Vance. Tinubu participated in the liturgy, queued with other world leaders to greet the Holy Father, and displayed deep respect for the moral authority of the Church. However, back in Nigeria, that posture has now changed completely.
Exploitation of Religion and Ethnicity
Obi argued that what is playing out today reveals how political leaders sometimes exploit religion and ethnicity to divide the people. Even when it was obvious that the CBCN was speaking on issues affecting Nigerians across religious and ethnic boundaries, aides to the President immediately reduced it to a "religious affair." He posed the question: Are insecurity, poverty, inflation, unemployment, and hardship problems exclusive to a particular faith? Do these challenges recognize religious or tribal boundaries?
The bishops merely expressed what millions of Nigerians experience daily: insecurity has worsened, poverty is deepening, inflation is crippling families, businesses are struggling, and hope is fading. These are realities echoed by religious leaders across the country, to whom successive governments gave thanks and promised to look into their observations.
Vicious Attacks Instead of Constructive Response
Rather than address these concerns or explain the measures in place to ameliorate them, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's aides and supporters responded with vicious attacks, particularly against Cardinal John Onaiyekan, with little regard for his age, stature, and accomplishments. Obi highlighted that Cardinal Onaiyekan had the best Higher School Certificate result in the old Northern Region in 1962 and rose through the ranks of the Catholic Church to become a Cardinal, a position that places him among those eligible for the papacy. He is one of Africa's most respected churchmen, known for decades of service to peace, dialogue, scholarship, and national unity.
Resorting to personal attacks against him weakens public discourse and reveals an unhealthy intolerance of criticism in today's Nigerian political space, Obi added.
Historical Role of Religious Leaders in Holding Power Accountable
Throughout history, religious leaders have challenged political authorities. Biblical prophets confronted kings, and modern faith communities continue to hold governments accountable. Nigeria has a similar tradition. The Catholic Church criticized military governments and successive civilian administrations, including those of Obasanjo, Yar'Adua, Jonathan, and Buhari. Muslim organizations have done likewise. Governments respectfully disagreed at times, but they generally recognized the right and responsibility of religious bodies to speak. Why, then, does the truth provoke such anger today?
Obi suggested that the problem often begins when leaders surround themselves with voices that tell them only what they want to hear. He referenced Napoleon Bonaparte, who reputedly preferred hearing bad news because problems were where leadership was required. During his tenure as Governor of Anambra State, Obi maintained a similar philosophy, expecting cabinet members to bring him problems, not compliments, because only honest feedback could lead to solutions.
Good Governance Depends on Truth
Good governance depends on truth. When governments punish truth-tellers and reward sycophants with appointments, honest advisers withdraw, sycophancy thrives, and leaders become disconnected from reality. This is our situation today, Obi said.
The CBCN did not insult the President and can never do so, given the calibre of the people who make up the Conference, some of the finest among Nigerians. It gave voice to the suffering of Nigerians. The proper response was to thoughtfully address the issues raised, not attack those who raised them. When respected figures like Cardinal Onaiyekan are vilified for speaking the truth, the message sent to citizens is that silence is safer than honesty. No democracy can flourish under such a culture.
Call for Honest Appraisal
Religious leaders should continue to speak because silence in the face of suffering would betray their moral responsibility. The greatest service those around President Tinubu can render him is an honest appraisal of the situation. A leader who hears only praise will never fully understand the pain of his people or find the clarity needed to correct what is wrong.
Obi concluded with the optimistic note: "A New Nigeria is Possible."
