Catholic Laity Defends Onaiyekan, Says Remarks Were Patriotic, Not Malicious

The Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria (CLCN) has defended Cardinal John Onaiyekan over his recent comments on President Bola Tinubu’s engagement with Catholic bishops, insisting that the former Archbishop of Abuja spoke out of genuine concern for the country and not out of malice or political bias. 
 
The council’s reaction followed criticism from the Presidency after Onaiyekan suggested that the Tinubu administration appeared determined to secure victory in the 2027 general election “by all means.”
Presidential Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, had accused the respected cleric of speaking from a political perspective, a claim that also drew criticism from former Vice P...