The Northern Christian Association (NCA) has warned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala, to stop what it described as attacks on Cardinal John Onaiyekan, insisting that the revered cleric spoke in the interest of all Nigerians during the recent meeting between the Catholic Bishops and the President.
The Christian body said it would not allow political actors to create divisions within the Christian community, stressing that the Catholic Bishops’ message to President Tinubu reflected the concerns of Christians and Nigerians across denominational lines.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Chairman of the Northern Christian Association, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, said the association stands firmly behind the Cardinal and the Catholic Bishops, describing attempts to portray their intervention as a purely Catholic affair as misleading and divisive.
“We should tell Bwala to know that Catholics are Christians and Nigerians.
“Our members are Catholics, Baptists, ECWA members, Methodists, Anglicans, Pentecostals and people of all denominations. We refuse to be divided by Bwala’s politics of division,” Hayab said.
The NCA maintained that Cardinal Onaiyekan and the bishops met President Tinubu to discuss issues affecting the entire country, including the welfare of Nigerians, insecurity and national development, rather than matters concerning only the Catholic Church.
“Our Cardinal is our respected leader, and the Bishops who visited the President went to speak to him about humanity, Christians and all of us, not only Catholics,” he stated.
Hayab further described the attacks on the Cardinal as inappropriate, saying the cleric deserved respect for offering honest counsel aimed at helping the President and improving governance.
“It is therefore shameful and a disservice to Tinubu for his spokesperson to disrespect our Cardinal.
“Honest counsel has been given to Mr President for his own good and for a better Nigeria,” he added.
The association also cautioned government officials against prioritising propaganda over addressing the genuine concerns raised by citizens, warning that such an approach would only undermine public confidence in the administration.
According to the NCA, constructive criticism and sincere advice should not be viewed as hostility but as contributions towards strengthening democracy, promoting accountability and advancing the collective interests of the nation.
