Bwala Faults Onaiyekan Over Tinubu Criticism, Says Cardinal Is ‘More Political Than Spiritual’

Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has criticised Cardinal John Onaiyekan over his recent remarks on the Tinubu administration, describing the former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja as “more political than spiritual.”

Bwala was reacting to comments by Onaiyekan, who said the current administration appeared more focused on winning the 2027 general election than improving the welfare of Nigerians.

The cardinal made the remarks after the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by its president, Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso, met President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

During the meeting, Tinubu defended his administration’s economic policies, insisting that ongoing reforms were stabilising the economy despite the challenges facing Nigerians.

Speaking later during an interview on Prime Time on Arise Television, Onaiyekan said the President and members of his team appeared uncomfortable with the bishops’ presentation because it differed from the type of briefings they usually received.

Reacting in a post on his X account on Saturday, Bwala argued that Onaiyekan’s comments did not reflect the views of all Christians in Nigeria.

He further alleged that sections of the Catholic Church supported Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), during the 2023 election and continued to back him ahead of the 2027 presidential poll.

“Cardinal Onaiyekan wasn’t speaking for Christians; he was speaking for Catholics,” Bwala wrote, adding that not all Catholics supported Obi.

He maintained that President Tinubu was justified in disagreeing with the bishops’ assessment of the economy, insisting that available economic data, statistics and official figures supported the administration’s position.

Bwala also criticised the cardinal’s assessment of the country’s economic situation, arguing that Catholic clergy often encourage worshippers to make positive declarations despite difficult circumstances.

According to him, the broader Christian community extends beyond the Catholic Church and its bishops’ conference, stressing that religious organisations should remain politically neutral.

He warned against allowing religious institutions to become partisan, saying neutrality was necessary to preserve public confidence and ensure they continued to serve as moral voices rather than political actors in national affairs.