The Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria (CLCN) has thrown its weight behind His Eminence, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, dismissing allegations by the Presidency that the former Archbishop of Abuja breached trust over comments he made concerning a recent private meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).
In a statement issued on August 2, 2026, after a meeting of its National Executive Council, the CLCN said the Church has a divine responsibility to speak truth to those in authority and insisted that Cardinal Onaiyekan’s remarks were consistent with the Church’s moral and pastoral obligations.
The statement, jointly signed by the National President of the Council, Sir Ambrose Obioha, KSM, JP, and the Secretary General, Mr Francis Olayinka Ojo, maintained that the Cardinal neither disclosed confidential information nor acted with malice.
According to the Council, the Catholic Church’s mission extends beyond spiritual guidance to defending the vulnerable and holding leaders accountable in line with the Gospel and Catholic Social Teaching.
“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 Bishops, Priests, and Laity are called to be ‘Salt of the Earth and Light of the World’ (Matthew 5:13-14) even in the corridors of power,” the statement read.
On the Presidency’s criticism of Cardinal Onaiyekan’s public comments after the meeting with President Tinubu, the Council argued that issues affecting millions of Nigerians cannot be permanently shielded from public scrutiny.
While acknowledging the importance of private engagements, it stressed that discussions bordering on the economy, security and justice are matters of legitimate public interest.
“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. When national issues of economy, security, and justice are discussed, the people have a right to know the direction of leadership. 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.”
The Council also defended the Cardinal’s integrity, describing him as a respected cleric committed to peace, dialogue and national unity.
It said his intervention was intended to encourage national reflection rather than embarrass the government, adding that differences in interpretation should not be misconstrued as a breach of trust.
“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. A disagreement over facts, as the Presidency rightly noted, should not be read as arrogance. Neither should a pastoral reflection be read as a breach of trust.”
The CLCN further urged the Presidency and the Catholic Church to preserve open lines of communication, saying both institutions have vital roles to play in promoting national development and the common good.
“CLCN believes that 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.”
Reaffirming its support for Cardinal Onaiyekan and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, the Council called on Nigerians to pray for the country’s leaders while supporting policies that promote security, justice and economic relief for 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.”
