Cardinal John Onaiyekan said he is neither embarrassed nor intimidated by criticism from the Federal Government regarding his public comments [1].
The clash highlights the tension between Nigeria's religious leadership and the state over the influence of the Catholic Church in political discourse. The dispute follows a meeting between Catholic bishops and President Bola Tinubu, where Onaiyekan's subsequent remarks drew a negative response from government officials [1].
Onaiyekan, the Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, addressed the situation by asserting his independence from state pressure. He is 82 years old [1]. The Cardinal responded to the government's critique by emphasizing that his age and position provide him with a level of immunity from fear.
"I am not embarrassed nor intimidated by criticism from the Federal Government," Onaiyekan said [1].
The Federal Government had previously criticized the remarks the Cardinal made regarding the bishops' interactions with the presidency. Onaiyekan dismissed these attempts to silence him or cause him distress through official channels [2].
"I’m not afraid of anybody; no one can arrest me," Onaiyekan said [2].
The Archbishop Emeritus maintained that the state cannot use the threat of legal action, or public shaming, to alter his stance on the meeting with President Tinubu [3]. He characterized the government's response as an ineffective attempt to exert control over the clergy's public voice.
"Nobody can embarrass, intimidate me," Onaiyekan said [3].
“"I am not embarrassed nor intimidated by criticism from the Federal Government."”
This confrontation underscores the role of the Catholic Church as a critical check on executive power in Nigeria. By openly defying the Federal Government, Cardinal Onaiyekan is signaling that religious authorities will not be deterred from commenting on presidential conduct or government policy, regardless of potential state retaliation.
