Catholic Bishops Are Nigeria’s Conscience, Listen To Them

Lawmaker representing Abia North Senatorial District, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has described the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) as “the conscience of the country,” urging President Bola Tinubu to reflect on the concerns raised by the clerics rather than view them as political criticism.

Speaking in a video posted on his Facebook page, the former Abia State governor reacted to last week’s meeting between President Tinubu and the leadership of the CBCN at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, as well as the public debate that followed involving the presidency, church leaders and members of the public.

The meeting, led by CBCN President, Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso, saw the bishops express concerns over worsening economic hardship, insecurity and the general state of the nation.

In response, President Tinubu defended his administration’s economic reforms, insisting that the economy was stabilising.

He also pointed to the end of prolonged strikes by university lecturers and maintained that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remained neutral, adding that his political opponents were “afraid of their own shadows.”

The meeting later sparked public debate after the Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, said during an interview on ARISE NEWS that President Tinubu appeared unhappy with the bishops’ message that Nigeria was “bleeding” and that worsening economic conditions were taking a severe toll on ordinary citizens.

Presidential Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, subsequently criticised Onaiyekan’s remarks, arguing that they did not represent the views of all Christians. He also alleged that the Catholic Church was backing the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, ahead of the 2027…