TINUBU AND CARDINAL ONAYEKAN: WHEN ACCOUNTABILITY IS MISTAKEN FOR CRITICISM
By Vincent Odoh
Recently, the media throughout the country was awash with the news of the alleged frozzy meeting between the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, John Cardinal Olorunfemi Onayekan.
The president through his media aid was alleged to have accused John Cardinal Onayekan of being biased and unethical for telling the president and the Nigerian leadership the present realities at the Aso Rock.
Reports also gathered that the only reason the president and his aids are said to be quarrelling with Cardinal Onayekan is because his adversaries sighted a group photograph of Onayekan and other bishops with Peter Obi at Archbishop Alaba Job’s triple anniversaries in Ibadan last month. Further reports also noted that nowhere has the Cardinal promised Obi that he would fight for him neither the CBCN or that Obi is the Catholic Church’s candidate for the presidency’
It is also a common knowledge that Onayekan has earned a solid reputation for prophetic advocacy on behalf of the Nigerian people for nearly 40 years. He was noted to have been faithful with every government from IBB and Abacha down to this Tinubu era.’
Then, prominent Nigerians took it hard on the President in condemnation of this seemingly embarrassing outburst directed at John Cardinal Onayekan, a great prophet who has been so patriotic to Nigerians.
Monsignor (Professor) Obiora Ike who reacted to the issues, came had on Tinubu and his “attack dogs” describing it as a persecution against Cardinal Onayekan and the Catholic Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), that President Bola Amed Tinubu has no basis to fault the Cardinal. Here him, “How can Nigerians be abandoning their country and the president, and the present leadership are saying, “let us manage. Things are hard everywhere. That is not why you are there. You are a political leader and you are also a moral leader with responsibilities to address the issues of the country and if you are saying it is overwhelming, then you resign.” he said.
Senator Orji Uzor Kaly was also reportedly quoted to have threatened to quit the APC government should the president refuses to listen to the Catholic Bishop’s advice.
Cardinal Onayekan was also allegedly faulted for publicly disclosing the close door meeting and the comment. His comments was described as inappropriate and a breach of confidentiality expected of such high level engagement.
Perhaps, the President did not know that he is not just a political leader but also a leader who is supposed to defend the moral responsibility at all times.